Abstract:
The invention describes a device for dehydrating food such as fruits, vegetables, or meat products such as jerky. The device is adapted to permit opening form either screened side. An advantage to the present invention is the use of a cable that is resistant to stretching while avoiding the use of rods that bend in the center.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to The purpose of this invention is to 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Art Practices 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,059 issued Sep. 9, 1980 to Everitt describes a box-shaped housing having side and end walls together with a back wall, leaving an opening at its front. A cover of material transparent to sunlight removably closes the front. Inside the device of Everitt are a plurality of shelves mounted so as to be tilted at an angle with respect to the end walls. The housing is supported in a stationary position with its back wall tilted backwardly from the top so as to orient the removable shelves substantially in a horizontal position. A plurality of apertures in the housing enable air flow upwardly therethrough. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. 5,115,566 issued to Zeitlin on May 26, 1992 recites an electrically actuated food and liquid fanning device that may be removably secured to a food or liquid holding utensil, container, or the like, which will generate a draft in a desired direction that is of material assistance in cooling the food or liquid held by the utensil, container, or other food or liquid holding device. 
         [0006]    Furman, et al., in U.S. Pat No. 5,139,012 issued Aug. 18, 1992 posits a fireplace heat exchanger having input means that is directly connected to a blower assembly, air to be heated is drawn in by the blower assembly and forced directly through the input means into a heat reservoir that is suspended directly above or within the flame of the fireplace. The air is heated within the heat reservoir and then forced through an output means that includes a plurality of discharge ports through which the heated air is dispersed into a room. A manifold covers those portions of the input and output means that are outside the fireplace. That portion of the manifold that covers the output means includes a corresponding plurality of discharge ports through which the heated air is dispersed. The input and output means slidably fit within the input and output riser tubes so the heat exchanger can be adjusted for fireplaces of various depths. The heat exchanger can be used with fireplaces having a frame with closable doors, wire mesh curtains, or the like. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,099 to Shimek, et al., issued Feb. 1, 2000 describes a high efficiency gas fireplace unit having a heat exchanger is located in a room in which the heat from the gas fireplace is not wanted. An air duct is connected to the heat exchanger and has a termination point in a room or area remote from the gas fireplace unit. During a heat dump or heat transfer mode of operation, an induced draft fan in an air duct is activated by a remote switch thrown to cause room air to be sucked through the heat exchanger and passed through the air duct and dumped in a remote area so that the fireplace heating effect is nullified or neutralized allowing the fireplace to be operated with or without an air conditioning system. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,206 issued Dec. 23, 2003 to Myrick discloses fireplace insert used in a fireplace to surround a heat source, including an arcuate conduit that is able to substantially surround the heat source on multiple sides. The conduit includes an inhaling end and an exhaling end, and divided into an intake channel, a base channel, and an outtake channel. The intake channel includes a proximal end and a distal end; the base channel includes a first end and a second end; and the outtake channel includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the intake channel is connected to the first end of the base channel, and the proximal end of the outtake channel is connected to the second end of the base channel for the conduit to be in a significantly U-shape. A fan is positioned near the distal end of the intake channel and is able to force heated air through the conduit. 
         [0009]    Lyons, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,039 issued on Jun. 21, 2005 sets out a heat exchange system and method for heating outside air provided to a structure are disclosed. The system uses and recovers heat from waste products that are being exhausted from the structure. A heated products source generates heated waste products as a result of combustion. An exhaust duct passes the heated waste products through a heat exchanger before exhaustion from the structure. An intake duct that supplies fresh outside air to the structure also passes through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger couples the exhaust duct and the intake duct and transfers otherwise unused heat from the waste products to the outside air to increase the overall efficiency of the heated product source. 
         [0010]    U.S. Patent Application 20050257787 authored by Dolton Edward Gerard III and published Nov. 24, 2005 describes a filtered aromatic fireplace heat recovery system may include an intake blower that intakes air from a room; a heat exchanging means that receives and heats air from the intake blower; and an output blower that evenly distributes the heated air into a room. In some embodiments, the system may include a filter means located within the intake blower and/or the output blower that filters pollutants, particulates, offensive odors, and toxins given off by the fuel burned within the fireplace. The system may also include a fragrance dispensing means located within the intake blower and/or the output blower to distribute a desired fragrance within a room. 
         [0011]    To the extent that the foregoing references are relevant to the present invention, they are herein specifically incorporated by reference. Certain portions of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention is a food dehydrating device comprising: 
         [0013]    a food dehydrating device box structure; 
         [0014]    said food dehydrating device box structure having a food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0015]    a food dehydrating device first side piece connected with said food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0016]    a food dehydrating device bottom region connected with said food dehydrating device first side piece; 
         [0017]    a food dehydrating device second side piece connected with said food dehydrating device top region and connected with said food dehydrating device bottom region; 
         [0018]    a food dehydrating device rear screened section connected with said food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0019]    a food dehydrating device endless cable first opening located in said food dehydrating device first side piece; 
         [0020]    a food dehydrating device endless cable second opening located in said food dehydrating device first side piece; and, 
         [0021]    a food dehydrating device endless cable extending through said food dehydrating device endless cable first opening and said food dehydrating device endless cable second opening. 
         [0022]    The invention also comprises a food dehydrating device having: 
         [0023]    a food dehydrating device box structure; 
         [0024]    said food dehydrating device box structure having a food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0025]    a food dehydrating device first side piece connected with said food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0026]    a food dehydrating device bottom region connected with said food dehydrating device first side piece; 
         [0027]    a food dehydrating device second side piece connected with said food dehydrating device bottom region and connected with said food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0028]    a food dehydrating device rear screened section connected with said food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0029]    a food dehydrating device front screened section connected with said food dehydrating device top region; 
         [0030]    a food dehydrating device endless cable first opening located in said food dehydrating device first side piece; 
         [0031]    a food dehydrating device endless cable first opening located in said food dehydrating device second side piece; 
         [0032]    a food dehydrating device endless cable second opening located in said food dehydrating device first side piece; 
         [0033]    a food dehydrating device endless cable opening located in said food dehydrating device second side piece; 
         [0034]    a food dehydrating device endless cable extending through said food dehydrating device endless cable first openings, and said food dehydrating device endless cable second openings; 
         [0035]    a food dehydrating device endless cable extension extending from said food dehydrating device endless cable; 
         [0036]    a food dehydrating device endless cable attachment attached to said food dehydrating device endless cable extension; and, 
         [0037]    a food dehydrating device endless cable extension securing mechanism located on said food dehydrating device first side piece, and for when in use, said food dehydrating device endless cable extension securing mechanism secures said dehydrating device endless cable attachment to said food dehydrating device first side piece. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0039]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2  is a first side exterior view of the present invention according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3  is a second side exterior view of the present invention according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 4  is a view of a retaining pin for use in the device of present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of food rack for use in the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6  is a view of a skewer for use with the device of present invention; and, 
           [0045]      FIG. 7  is a plan exterior view of the present invention according to  FIG. 1 ; 
       
    
    
       [0046]    With more particular reference to the drawings the following is set forth. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    As best seen in  FIG. 1 , is a food dehydrating device  10  according to the present invention. The food dehydrating device  10  is a food dehydrating device box structure  20 . The food dehydrating device box structure  20  has a food dehydrating device top region  22 . The food dehydrating device box structure  20  has a food dehydrating device bottom region  24 . 
         [0048]    The food dehydrating device box structure  20  further has a food dehydrating device first side piece  26 . The generally food dehydrating device box structure  20  also has a food dehydrating device second side piece  28 . 
         [0049]    A feature of all of the food dehydrating device box structure  20  is a food dehydrating device rear screened section  36 . A food dehydrating device front screened section  38  is also combined with the food dehydrating device box structure  20 . 
         [0050]    Conveniently, a food dehydrating device hinge  40  secures the food dehydrating device front screened section  38  to the food dehydrating device top region  22 . A food dehydrating device flange  42  extends along the food dehydrating device top region  22  proximate to the food dehydrating device hinge  40 . 
         [0051]    As best seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  is a plurality of food dehydrating device legs  48  associated with the food dehydrating device box structure  20 . The plurality of food dehydrating device legs  48  are the food dehydrating device first lower leg  50 , the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52 , the food dehydrating device third lower leg  54 , and the food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56 . The food dehydrating device first lower leg  50 , the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52 , the food dehydrating device third lower leg  54 , and the food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56 , are in the normal practice cylindrical and may be hollow. 
         [0052]    The plurality of food dehydrating device legs  48  are also typically comprised of a food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 , a food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 , a food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 , and a food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66 . Conveniently, the food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 , food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 , food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 , and food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66  are cylindrical and hollow. The food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 , the food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 , the food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 , and the food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66  are attached to the food dehydrating device box structure  20  on the food dehydrating device bottom region  24 . 
         [0053]    A plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  are located in the food dehydrating device first lower leg  50 . A plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  are located in the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52 . 
         [0054]    A plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  are located in the food dehydrating device third lower leg  54 . A plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  are located in the food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56 . 
         [0055]    The plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  conveniently extend through the cylinder walls of the food dehydrating device first lower leg  50 , the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52 , the food dehydrating device third lower leg  54 , and the food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56 . The plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  extend diametrically across the cylinder of the food dehydrating device first lower leg  50 , the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52 , the food dehydrating device third lower leg  54 , and food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56 . 
         [0056]    The dimensions of the plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  are such that the plurality of food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68  does not structurally weaken the food dehydrating device first lower leg  50 , the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52 , the food dehydrating device third lower leg  54 , and the food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56 . 
         [0057]    A plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  is located in the food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 . A plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  is located in the food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 . 
         [0058]    A plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  is located in the food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 . A plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  is located in the food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66 . 
         [0059]    The plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  conveniently extend through the cylinder walls of the food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 , the food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 , the food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 , and the plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70 . The plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  extend diametrically across the cylinder of the food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 , the food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 , the food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 , and food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66 . 
         [0060]    The dimensions of the plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  are such that the plurality of food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  does not structurally weaken the food dehydrating device first upper leg  60 , the food dehydrating device second upper leg  62 , the food dehydrating device third upper leg  64 , and the food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66 . 
         [0061]    A plurality of food dehydrating device retaining pins  78  may be used to adjust the height of the food dehydrating device  10  by judicious selection of the length of each of the food dehydrating device legs  48 . For example, the food dehydrating device  10  may be placed in front of a fireplace (not shown) that has a shelf extending from the fireplace in the region of the floor. 
         [0062]    In such a case the food dehydrating device retaining pins  78  are inserted through the food dehydrating device upper leg openings  70  into the food dehydrating device lower leg openings  68 . If desired the plurality of food dehydrating device retaining pins  78  may be of the locking type such as a cotter pin. 
         [0063]    In such a situation it may be necessary to adjust to the length of the rear legs  48  by inserting the food dehydrating device second lower leg  52  into the food dehydrating device second upper leg  62  and inserting the food dehydrating device fourth lower leg  56  into the food dehydrating device fourth upper leg  66  so the rear legs  48  are shorter than the front legs  48  thereby allowing the food dehydrating device  10  to be positioned in a level manner and closer to the heat source. 
         [0064]    The food dehydrating device box structure  20  is equipped with a food dehydrating device endless cable  80 . The food dehydrating device endless cable  80  extends through a food dehydrating device endless cable opening  96  on the food dehydrating device first side piece  26 . 
         [0065]    The food dehydrating device endless cable  80  traverses the interior length of the food dehydrating device box structure  20  to the second food dehydrating device endless cable opening  96  located on the food dehydrating device second side piece  28 . The food dehydrating device endless cable  80  wraps around the outer side of the food dehydrating device second side piece  28 . The food dehydrating device endless cable  80  then enters the food dehydrating device endless cable opening  98  on the food dehydrating device second side piece  28  and traverses the interior length of the food dehydrating device box structure  20 . 
         [0066]    The food dehydrating device endless cable  80  then exits the food dehydrating device box structure  20  through a food dehydrating device endless cable opening  98  on the food dehydrating device first side piece  26 . The dehydrating device endless cable  80  is then affixed end to end to form a continuous loop. 
         [0067]    A food dehydrating device endless cable extension  84  is connected with the food dehydrating device endless cable  80  at the midpoint of the food dehydrating device endless cable extension  80  on the outer surface of the food dehydrating device first side piece  26 . A food dehydrating device endless cable attachment  86  is connected with the opposite terminus of the food dehydrating device endless cable extension  84  from the food dehydrating device endless cable extension  80 . For convenience, the food dehydrating device endless cable attachment  86  is a hook. 
         [0068]    A food dehydrating device endless cable extension securing mechanism  88  is formed on the food dehydrating device first side piece  26  such as by punching out a portion of the metal from which the food dehydrating device first side piece  26  is formed. The food dehydrating device endless cable extension securing mechanism  88  may also be a handle like structure screwed onto the food dehydrating device first side piece  26 . 
         [0069]    The food dehydrating device endless cable extension  84  is of a sufficient length for the food dehydrating device endless cable attachment  86  to extend to the food dehydrating device endless cable extension securing mechanism  88 . The food dehydrating device endless cable  80  is maintained in a relatively taut condition in the food dehydrating device box structure  20  by the food dehydrating device endless cable extension  84  and the food dehydrating device endless cable attachment  86  terminating in the food dehydrating device endless cable extension securing mechanism  88 . 
         [0070]    Turning again to  FIG. 1 , there is shown on the interior of the food dehydrating device second side piece  28  a food dehydrating device shelf  90 , a food dehydrating device shelf  94 , and a food dehydrating device shelf  96 . A similar arrangement of a food dehydrating device shelf  90 , a food dehydrating device shelf  94 , and a food dehydrating device shelf are located on the interior wall of the food dehydrating device first side piece  26 . 
         [0071]    The arrangement of the sets of the food dehydrating device shelf  90 , food dehydrating device shelf  94 , and food dehydrating device endless cable opening  96  will permit several racks to be placed horizontally between the perspective food dehydrating device shelf  90 , food dehydrating device shelf  94 , and food dehydrating device endless cable opening  96 . 
         [0072]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a food dehydrating device rack  100  suitable for placement between the food dehydrating device shelf  90 , food dehydrating device shelf  94 , and food dehydrating device endless cable opening  96 . The food dehydrating device rack  100  has a food dehydrating device rack first long side  102  located in a parallel relationship to a food dehydrating device rack second long side  104 . 
         [0073]    The food dehydrating device rack  100  has a food dehydrating device rack first end  106  located in a parallel relationship with a food dehydrating device rack second end  108 . The food dehydrating device rack first long side  102  joins the food dehydrating device rack first end  106  at a right angle. The food dehydrating device rack first end  106  joins the food dehydrating device rack second long side  104  at a right angle. 
         [0074]    The food dehydrating device rack second long side  104  joins the food dehydrating device rack second end  108  at a right angle. The food dehydrating device rack second end  108  joins the food dehydrating device rack first long side  102  at a right angle. 
         [0075]    A plurality of food dehydrating device rack supports  110  extend between the food dehydrating device rack first long side  102  and the food dehydrating device rack second long side  104 . The plurality of food dehydrating device rack supports  110  are in a parallel relationship to the food dehydrating device rack first end  106  and the food dehydrating device rack second end  108 . 
         [0076]    The manner of joining the food dehydrating device rack first long side  102 , the food dehydrating device rack first end  106 , the food dehydrating device rack second long side  104 , the food dehydrating device rack second end  108 , and the plurality of food dehydrating device rack supports  110  may be by stamping or welding the individual pieces together. 
         [0077]    As best seen in a  FIG. 6 , is a food dehydrating device skewer  120 . The food dehydrating device skewer  120  has a food dehydrating device skewer eyelet  122  at one end thereof. A food dehydrating device skewer cylindrical region  123  extends from the food dehydrating device skewer eyelet  122 . A food dehydrating device skewer curved end  124  extends from the opposite end of the food dehydrating device skewer cylindrical region  123  from the food dehydrating device skewer eyelet  122 . 
         [0078]    As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the food dehydrating device top region  22  has a food dehydrating device top handle  134 . The food dehydrating device top handle  134  permits food dehydrating device  10  to be carried or positioned conveniently. 
         [0079]    In practice, the food dehydrating device top region  22  and the food dehydrating device bottom region  24  may formed of the same material, such as aluminum and may be identical. In a similar fashion the food dehydrating device first side piece  26  and the food dehydrating device second side piece  28  may formed of the same material, such as aluminum and may be identical. The food dehydrating device rear screened section  36  and the food dehydrating device front screened section  38  may also be identical in nature and function if desired. 
         [0080]    In use, a food item to be dehydrated may be placed on the food dehydrating device endless cable  80  which are located between the food dehydrating device shelf  90  on the food dehydrating device first side piece  26  and the food dehydrating device shelf  90  on the food dehydrating device second side piece  28 . 
         [0081]    The food dehydrating device  10  is then located such that the food dehydrating device rear screened section  36  is positioned close to a fireplace (not shown). The food items to be dehydrated are placed on the food dehydrating device rack  100 . 
         [0082]    The food dehydrating device front screened section  38  is opened. The food dehydrating device front screened section  38  is raised to a point such that the food dehydrating device front screened section  38  rests on the food dehydrating device flange  42 . 
         [0083]    The food dehydrating device rack  100  with the food items to be dehydrated is then inserted through the food dehydrating device front screened section  38 . The food dehydrating device front screened section  38  is then closed to avoid inadvertent contact with the food item on the food dehydrating device rack  100  while the food items are dehydrating. 
         [0084]    Alternatively, a food item may be placed on the food dehydrating device skewer  120  in the fashion of shishkebab. The food dehydrating device skewer  120  is then placed across the parallel portions of the food dehydrating device endless cable  80  within the food dehydrating device box structure  20 . It is preferred that the food dehydrating device skewer  120  be in a diagonal position across the food dehydrating device endless cable  80  to permit even dehydration of the food item. 
         [0085]    From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.