Abstract:
A compact apparatus for supporting hand-held cooking utensils above a campfire or other such heat source such that there is no requirement for an operator to hold the utensil handle. The apparatus includes an stake that is driven into the ground such that an elongate portion of the stake extends upwardly from the ground. The elongate portion of the stake slidingly receives an elongate utensil holding assembly that extends outwardly from the stake and reversibly engages the utensils. The height of the utensil holding assembly is adjustable and lockable. The utensil holding assembly includes an inner chamber for storing the stake when the apparatus is not in use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed devices for holding a cooking utensil above a campfire or a grill placed on the ground so that a food item, such as a marshmallow, hotdog or hamburger held by the utensil, can be suspended above the campfire or grill without an operator holding the utensil by hand. 
         [0002]    Cooking food over open flames, such as campfires and grills, is a well known cooking method. Food to be cooked that way can be held in a variety of ways, such as in a vessel, such as a pot, dish or wrapping, or on an elongated spit-like utensil, such as a stick, a spit, a skewer, a toasting fork or another food-holding device that prevents the user from being burned while cooking the food. Certain foods, such as marshmallows, hotdogs and hamburgers, are particularly amenable to cooking over an open flame while being held by a utensil with an elongate handle, such as a toasting fork, a wire hotdog holder, a hamburger holder, a fish basket and a wire vegetable basket. For example, many people enjoy toasting marshmallows over a campfire by placing the marshmallows on a stick or a toasting fork and then holding the marshmallow above the fire until browned. 
         [0003]    When using such hand-held cooking utensils, the cook must stand or sit next to the fire while the food cooks, which may cause certain problems. For example, the amount of food that can be cooked at one time is limited by the number of utensils the cook can hold. In another example, the cook can be prevented from socializing or performing other tasks, such as preparing the rest of the meal or assisting children. 
         [0004]    It is therefore desirable to have a device for hands-free holding one or more hand-held cooking utensils, such as toasting forks, hotdog holders, hamburger holders and the like, above a heat source on the ground, so that the food held on the utensil is suspended above the heat source at a distance that is suitable for cooking the food. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In a first embodiment, an utensil holder apparatus is provided for holding an elongated hand-held cooking utensil above the ground, so that food held on the utensil can be mechanically suspended above a heat source on the ground, such as a campfire or a small grill, for hands-free cooking. Suitable utensils include but are not limited to grilling or toasting forks, hotdog holders, hamburger holders, fish holders, vegetable holders and the like that are well known. The apparatus is a two-part device that includes an utensil holding arm assembly and an elongated stake that can be stored within the utensil holding assembly. The stake is partially driven into the ground, such as with a rock or hammer, so that it is in a generally upright orientation. Then the utensil holding arm assembly, which is sized and shaped to reversibly engage a variety of hand-held cooking utensils, is attached to the upper end of the stake so that utensil holding arm assembly is located at a desired height above the ground. In particular, the utensil holding assembly includes a stake engagement subassembly that is received over the stake and then locked in place so that the utensil holding assembly extends over the ground adjacent to the fire. 
         [0006]    In an aspect of the first embodiment, the utensil holding assembly includes structure for holding and balancing the utensil on the utensil holding assembly. In particular, the utensil holding assembly includes a cantilever arm with an utensil-engaging surface and a utensil-engaging finger that cooperates a cooking utensil to reversibly engage and hold the utensil. The arm forms a fulcrum for the utensil and the finger counterbalances the portion of the utensil extending toward the heat source and the weight of any food item supplied by the utensil. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the first embodiment, the stake engagement subassembly includes structure for joining the utensil holding assembly and the stake together. The locking mechanism may, for example, be a set screw or bolt which is manually rotated through a threaded nut mounted on the utensil holding assembly to engage a surface of the stake to fix the vertical portion of the utensil holding assembly relative to the ground. This structure may include a through-bore and a locking mechanism. The through-bore is sized and shaped so that the stake can be slidingly received therein or therethrough. When the stake is received in the through-bore, the locking mechanism is actuated, to reversibly engage the stake and thereby fix or set the position of the utensil holding assembly and the stake relative to one another. When this position is set, the distance above of the utensil holding assembly above the ground is also set. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect of the first embodiment, the through-bore includes a pair of spaced apart openings that are joined together by an inner surface. The openings are sized and shaped such that the stake can pass through them. The inner surface is shaped so as to be complementary to the stake. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the first embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a lock member and a key member. The lock member is joined with the stake engagement subassembly and reversibly engages the complementary key member. 
         [0010]    In a second embodiment, a utensil holding apparatus includes a ground engaging stake that has an elongate shaft and a ground penetrating portion. The ground penetrating portion of the stake is sized and shaped to be driven into the ground, such as by hammering the top end of the stake with a hammer, a rock, or other convenient tool. The ground penetrating portion is driven into the ground so that the shaft extends upwardly from the ground. The apparatus also includes a utensil holding arm assembly with a stake engaging portion, a utensil-engaging surface, and a utensil-engaging finger. The utensil holding assembly is attached to the stake by sliding the stake engaging portion over the stake shaft, so that the stake supports the surface and the finger of the arm assembly above the ground. The surface and the finger cooperate to engage a utensil, whereby the utensil is suspended above the ground. The apparatus also includes a locking assembly that lockingly engages the stake engaging portion and the shaft, so as to releasably lock the stake and the utensil holding assembly together. 
         [0011]    In a third embodiment, a method of supporting a utensil above the ground includes driving a first end of a stake into the ground such that a second end of the stake extends upwardly from the ground, engaging a stake engagement assembly with the stake second end such that the stake engagement assembly is positioned above the ground, locking the stake engagement assembly and the stake second end, and then engaging a utensil with a utensil holding assembly extending from the stake engagement assembly, whereby the utensil is suspended above the ground. 
         [0012]    In an aspect of the third embodiment, the method includes removing the stake from a storage chamber of the utensil holding assembly prior to driving the stake first end in the ground. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the third embodiment, the method includes sliding the stake engagement assembly along a length of the stake second end so as to adjust the position of the utensil holding assembly above the ground prior to locking the stake engagement assembly and stake second end. 
         [0014]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utensil holding apparatus of the instant invention, with the apparatus assembled for use. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus showing the utensil holding assembly holding the handle of an utensil. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the apparatus showing a portion of the stake engaged with the utensil holding assembly, the locking mechanism and three utensil-engaging fingers. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an enlarge fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus and illustrate portions of the compact storage provisions. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of the apparatus taken on line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  and showing the stake stored inside of the utensil holding assembly arm. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the reference numeral  10  denotes a utensil holding apparatus of the instant invention, for mechanically holding a hand-held cooking utensil  12  over a heat source, such as, but not limited to, a campfire  14 . Suitable hand-held utensils  12  include, but are not limited to, toasting forks, grilling forks, skewers, hotdog holders, hamburger holders or baskets, fish baskets, vegetable baskets and the like. Such utensils  12  are commonly made of heavy-gauge wire, have elongate handles  16  and may have heat-resistant grips  18 . The utensil holding apparatus  10  can also hold some types of sticks (not shown). 
         [0023]    The apparatus  10  includes a stake  20  and a utensil holding assembly or arm  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the stake  20  is driven into the ground  24  so that it extends upwardly from the ground  24 . The illustrated utensil holding assembly  22  is attached to the stake  20  so that it extends horizontally outwardly in a cantilever manner, away from the stake  20  and is spaced above the ground  24 . One or more utensils  12  may be supported by the utensil holding assembly  22  so that the apparatus  10  suspends the utensil  22  above the ground  24  and a campfire  14 , or low grilling device such as, but not limited to, a Hibachi grill, or a portable charcoal grill, located on the ground  24  adjacent to or below the utensil holding assembly  22 . 
         [0024]    The stake  20  is an elongate rod or shaft with a longitudinal axis denoted by A ( FIG. 1 ). The stake  20  is fabricated of a strong, rigid material, such as but not limited to metal, a polymer, wood and combinations thereof. For example, the stake  20  can be fabricated from reinforcement steel (i.e., rebar) or another type of steel rod known in the art. The stake  20  has a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section, wherein the cross-section is taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. 
         [0025]    The stake  20  includes a first portion  26  and a second portion  28 . The stake first portion  26  is generally tapered, conical, sharpened, or otherwise shaped for piercing and penetrating the ground  24 . For example, the first portion  26  may include a pointed tip  30 . The first portion  26  is driven into the dirt  24  by hammering or impacting the top end  31  of the second portion  28  with a hammer, a log, a rock, or a similar hammering tool. When the first portion  26  is driven into the ground  24 , a second portion  28  extends upwardly from the ground  24 , so that the stake  20  is in an upright orientation. When the first portion  26  is driven a sufficient distance into the ground  24 , the second portion  28  can support the utensil holding assembly  22  and any utensils  12  attached to it without bending or falling over. 
         [0026]    The utensil holding assembly  22  is fabricated of a strong, fireproof material. Suitable materials include metals, such as, but not limited to, steel, non-flammable polymers, and combinations thereof. The utensil holding assembly  22  includes an elongate body  32  with a longitudinal axis denoted by the letter B ( FIG. 3 ). The body  32  is joined by a stake engagement subassembly  34  at a neck  36  of the assembly  22 . The stake engagement subassembly  34  includes a central axis denoted by the letter C ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The body axis B is illustrated as being perpendicular to the cross member axis C ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0027]    The utensil holding assembly body  32  is elongate and may have a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section, wherein the cross-section is taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  32  has a square cross-section and four sides, including a front side  40 , a back side  42 , a top side  44  and a bottom side  46 . The body also includes a closed end  48  ( FIG. 6 ) that is spaced from and opposed to the neck  36 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one or more utensil holding members or fingers  50  are attached to body front  40 , so as to extend above the body top side  44 . The fingers  50  are bent or curved so as to form a hook-like structure that can partially wrap around a utensil handle  16 . To facilitate grasping the handles  16 , the fingers  50  are slanted away from the respective side  40  to which they are attached (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). 
         [0028]    The top surface  44  of the body  32  and a finger  50  cooperate to engage the utensil handle  16 , such as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When engaged or held by the body  32 , the handle  16  extends across the body  32 , so that the utensil  12  extends and holds the food over the heat source  14  on the ground  24 . To prevent the food from falling into the heat source  14 , the utensil  12  is balanced on the surface  44  with a handle first portion, generally  52 , extending over the heat source  14  and a handle second portion, generally  54 , extending away from the heat source  14 . In particular, the first and second portions  52 ,  54  are counter-balanced on the surface  44 , so that the first portion  52  presses downwardly on the surface  44 , because gravity pulls the food downwardly, thereby causing the second portion  54  to lift upwardly and engage the associated finger  50 . The top surface  44 , thus, forms a fulcrum or fulcrum surface for the elongated utensil  12 , with a finger  50  counterbalancing the weight of the inner portion  52  of the utensil  12  and any food supported thereby. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the body  32  includes an inner stake storage channel  56 , or storage chamber or container, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is accessed by an orifice  58  ( FIG. 5 ) in the stake engagement subassembly  34 . The storage channel  56  is coaxial with the longitudinal axis B, which passes through the center of the orifice  58 . The storage channel  56  includes an inner surface  60  and an inner bottom surface  62 , and is sized and shaped to receive the stake  20  therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage channel  56  has a square cross-section, taken perpendicular to axis B. However, alternative shapes that are complementary to the stake  20  are foreseen. A top end  64  ( FIG. 6 ) of the storage channel  56  can be closed, as discussed in greater detail below, so as to prevent the stake  20  from falling out of the storage channel  56 . 
         [0030]    The illustrated stake engagement subassembly  34  is tubular and includes a stake-engaging through-bore  66  and a locking mechanism  68 . The through-bore  66  is coaxial with axis C and has a pair of spaced apart openings  70  that are joined by an inner surface  72 . The openings  70  are defined by edges  74 . The openings  70  and inner surface  72  are complementary in shape to the stake second portion  28 . 
         [0031]    The through-bore  66  is sized and shaped such that the stake  20  can be passed through both of the openings  70 , such as is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , which allows the stake engagement subassembly  34  to slide along a length of the stake second portion  28 . The position or configuration of the utensil holding assembly  22  with respect to the stake  20  can be adjusted by sliding the stake forwards and backwards through the through-bore  66  prior to actuating or locking the locking mechanism  68 . Alternatively, the locking mechanism  68  can be locked (see  FIG. 6 ) prior to inserting the stake  20  into the through-bore  66 , so that when the stake  20  is inserted through a first of the openings  70  and into the through-bore  66 , the stake top  31  contacts the locking mechanism  68  and is prevented from passing through the second of the openings  70  (not shown). 
         [0032]    When the stake second portion  28  is received in the through-bore  66 , the locking mechanism  68  reversibly engages the stake  20  so that the stake  20  and the utensil holding assembly  22  are locked with respect to one another. When the stake  20  and the utensil holding assembly  22  are locked together, the position of the fork holding assembly  22  relative to the ground  24 , or a distance therebetween, is fixed or otherwise set. Accordingly, the utensil holding assembly  22  remains spaced above the ground  24  and heat source  14 . 
         [0033]    The locking mechanism  68  includes a lock member  76  and a key member  78 , which are complementary to one another so as to be reversibly engageable. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock member  76  is a nut or nut-like structure with an inner threaded bore  80  ( FIG. 6 ) that is fixed or fused to the stake engagement subassembly  34  so as to be adjacent to the neck  36 . The bore  80  is perpendicular to both of the B and C axes, so that when the key member  78  is received through the bore  80 , the key member engages either the stake  20  or the through-bore inner surface  72 . 
         [0034]    The illustrated key member  78  is a set bolt or set screw with threads  82  that are complementary to threads  84  of the bore  80 , so that the key member  78  can be screwed into and out of the lock member  76 . The threaded portion  84  of the key member  78  includes a length that is sufficient contact the top  31  of the stake  20 , and to thereby prevent the stake  20  from exiting the orifice  58  of the stake engagement subassembly  34  (see  FIG. 6 ) when the stake  20  is stored within the body  32  of the assembly  22 . When the stake  20  is inserted through both openings  70  of the through-bore  66  of the stake engagement subassembly  34 , the key member  78  can be screwed into the lock member  76 , so that the tip  86  of the key member  78  engages and presses against the side of the stake  20 , thereby locking the stake  20  in a desired position on the stake engagement subassembly  34 . In the illustrated embodiment, the key member  78  includes an L-shaped handle  88  to facilitating turning the key member  78  in the lock member  76 . It is foreseen that other forms of complementary locks and keys known in the art may be used in the locking mechanism  68 . 
         [0035]    When in use, the first end  26  of the stake  20  is driven into the ground  24  next to a heat source  14  by impacting the top  31  of the stake  20  with a hammer, rock, or similar tool. When the stake first end  26  is driven into the ground  24 , the second end  28  of the stake  20  extends upwardly from the ground  24  in a generally upright orientation. The stake engagement subassembly  34  is then engaged with the stake second end  28 , such as by sliding the stake top  31  through the through-bore  66 , such that the stake engagement subassembly  34  is positioned at a desirable location along the length of the stake second portion  28 , and such that the stake engagement subassembly  34  is positioned above the ground  24 . The stake engagement subassembly  34  is positioned adjacent to the heat source  14  so that the utensil holding assembly  22  extends along the side of the heat source  14 . While the utensil holding assembly  22  can be positioned so as to extend over the heat source  14 , it is preferred to position utensil holding assembly  22  so that it extends along the side of the heat source  14 . Once the stake  20  and the stake engagement subassembly  34  are properly positioned, they are locked relative to one another by locking the locking mechanism  68 . Then an utensil  12  is engaged with a finger  50  of the utensil holding assembly  22  such that the utensil  12  is suspended above the ground  24  and extends near or over the heat source  14 . 
         [0036]    Prior to driving the stake first end  26  in the ground  24 , the stake  20  is removed from a storage chamber  56  located within the utensil holding assembly  22 . Prior to locking the stake engagement subassembly  34  and stake second end  28 , the stake engagement subassembly  34  is slid along a length of the stake second end  28  so as to adjust the position of the utensil holding subassembly  34  with respect to the ground  24 . 
         [0037]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.