Abstract:
A device for grilling, barbecuing, and cooking over open fires enables the user to evenly cook sausages, hotdogs, ears of corn, kebabs and marshmallows, and so on. The cooking is done on four sides and prevents burning. The device secures the food items being cooked such that they do not fall. The device includes a wire frame container for elongated food items such as hot dogs and ears of corn, and also for loose items such as marchmallows. The device also provides a way of securing the food item inside the container, so that it does not fall out during cooking. Additionally, the device provides a numerical designation on one end of the container, to facilitate correct turning of the food item during cooking.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a device and apparatus for grilling food items. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is a problem in the art to conveniently grill food items such as hotdogs, ears of corn, marchmallows, and the like. 
         [0005]    Many types of utensils are known for grilling, barbecuing, and cooking over open fires. Such items include, for example, a stick; tongs; spatulas; and also flat grills formed of wire found on many barbecue grills. 
         [0006]    It remains a problem in the art to evenly cook the sausage/hotdogs, ears of corn, kebabs and marshmallows, etc., on four sides and prevent burning. It is also a problem to secure the food items being cooked such that they do not fall. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art to provide a device meeting the above requirements. According to the present invention, a device is provided which meets the aforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art. Specifically, the device according to the present invention provides a device useful for grilling, barbecuing, and cooking over open fires. 
         [0008]    The device of the present invention provides an apparatus for grilling, barbecuing, and cooking over open fires. The present invention enables the user to evenly cook the sausage/hotdogs, ears of corn, kebabs and marshmallows, etc., on four sides and prevent burning. It is also a problem to secure the food items being cooked such that they do not fall. 
         [0009]    More specifically, the device according to the present invention provides a wire frame container for elongated food items such as hot dogs and ears of corn. The present invention also provides a way of securing the food item inside the container, so that it does not fall out during cooking. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the apparatus of the present invention provides a numerical designation on one end of the container, to facilitate correct turning of the food item during cooking. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective assembly view of a first embodiment of a griller, according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of an end member of the griller of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the end member of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the end member of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention similar to  FIG. 1  and having a second type of handle. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention similar to  FIGS. 1  and  2 , and having a second type of end member. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the griller of  FIG. 5 , as viewed from an opposite side and showing a food item held therein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the three embodiments of  FIGS. 1-7 , in use with food items held therein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a closure portion, usable with any of the griller embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a further embodiment of the griller, having a top opening portion hinged at one end, according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the griller, having a top opening portion hinged along one side, according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an assembly view of the griller of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an assembly view of another embodiment of the griller of the present invention having a top side and a bottom side. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a side schematic view of the griller of  FIG. 14  showing a food item being held therein, the food item being shown in section. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective assembly view of a first embodiment of a griller  100  having a holder portion  20 , and end member  40 , and a handle portion  10 . When assembled, the handle portion  10  is connected to the holder portion by wire portions  12  and  14 . In assembled form, the ends of the wire portions  12  and  14  are fixedly connected to the corners of the end member  40 . 
         [0027]    The end member  40  has a front face  42  bearing indicia thereon. Here, the indicia is in the form of numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4, which serve as a visual aid to the user when grilling. For example, it is easier to know which way to rotate the griller  100  during cooking, by visual reference to the numerals. Thus, the griller  100  can be said to have sides 1, 2, 3, and 4. For example, when side 1 is down for a period of time, the user knows to rotate the griller so that numeral 2 is down for a period of time, then side 3, and then side 4. This prevents accidentally rotating the wrong way, so that a particular side is turned to the heat twice while another side remains unheated. 
         [0028]    The holder portion  20  is formed by a plurality of wires. Specifically, the holder portion  20  incloudes four longitudinal wires, which include wires  22 ,  24 , and  26 , with the remaining longitudinal wire unnumbered in  FIG. 1 . The wires  22  and  24  are connected by a plurality of cross wires  23 , and the wires  24  and  26  are connected by a plurality of cross wires  25 . And end  30  is open so as to easily receive a food item such as a sausage, hot dog, ear of corn, and the like. The end  30  is bounded by end wires  32 ,  34  in  FIG. 1 . In use, the food item is placed into the holder portion  20  through the open end  30 , and as long as held level or upright the food item will not fall out of the holder portion  20 . The food item can be dislodged by tilting of the holder portion downwardly, i.e. with the open end  30  lower than the handle portion  10 . 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 1 , the holder  10  is shown as a solid member connected to the wire portions  12  and  14 . It is contemplated that any known type of handle can be used for the handle  10  in this view, and the choice of handle would be within the ambit of skill of any one having skill in the cooking utensil art. 
         [0030]    The griller  100  serves as an apparatus for grilling, barbecuing, and cooking over open fires. The griller  100  of the present invention enables the user to evenly cook the sausage/hotdogs, ears of corn, kebabs and marshmallows, etc., on four sides and prevent burning. The griller  100  also secures food items being cooked such that they do not fall out. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the end member  40  of the griller  100  of  FIG. 1 . In this view, the front side  42  is visible, bearing the indicia 1, 2, 3, and 4. While the indicia 1, 2, 3, and 4 is used in the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that other indicia could be used. The end member  40  can be composed of solid metal, for example, or can be composed of ceramic or other material not subject to melting when exposed to cooking heat. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the end member  40  of  FIG. 2 . In this view, the front side  42  and a rear side  44  are indicated. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the end member  40  of  FIG. 2 . This view shows the rear side  44  of the end member  40 . While the end member  40  is shown as rectangular and solid, it will be understood that other shapes and forms can be used within the scope of the present invention, for example a rounded shape can be used, and also the end member can be formed by wires so that it is somewhat perforated to allow air flow therethrough. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the griller  100  similar to that of  FIG. 1  and having a second type of handle  110 . This handle has a grip portion  112  and a connector rod  114 . The connector rod  114  is connected to the center of the end member  40 . It can be fastened by a threaded member (not shown), by welding, or by other securing means known to any one having skill in the cooking utensil arts. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the griller  100  which is similar to that of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and having a second type of end member  240 . Here, the end member  240  is formed by criss-crossing wires, so that it allows air flow therethrough. A handle  210  is shown having a gripping portion  212  and a connector rod  214 , similar to that of  FIG. 5  described above. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the griller  100  having the handle portion  10  and the holder portion  20  as shown in the preceding figures, and showing a food item  90  (which can be a corn dog, hot dog, or sausage, for example) held in the holder portion  20 . The griller  100  is shown disposed over a barbecue grill (unnumbered). This view is similar to that of  FIG. 5 , as is viewed from an opposite side. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the three embodiments of the griller  100  of  FIGS. 1-7 , in use with food items held therein. These embodiments are shown disposed over a barbecue grill, as an example of use in cooking. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a closure portion  400 , usable with any of the griller embodiments. This is a known type of closure, and operates as follows. A handle portion  402  includes a wire portion  404 A that is connected to a lower wire member  404 . An upper wire member  406  is movable (as by pivoting, folding, sliding, etc.) and has a tab portion  406   a  that can overly the wire portion  404 A. A slide member  408  has a lower opening that surrounds the wire portion  404 A and can slide along the wire portion  404 A. The slide member  408  also has a second opening for receiving the tab portion  406 A, so that the member  408  can retain the members  404  and  406  together once the slide member is moved sufficiently far along the tab portion  406 A to the position shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a further embodiment of the griller  100 , having a top opening portion  423  hinged at one end  420 , and having a closure end  424  that is pivotable in the manner shown by the double-headed arrows. In this view, the end portion  430  in this embodiment is preferably closed. Here, the end  424  can be secured by any fastening means known to any one having skill in the cooking utensil arts, such as a snap fit, a clasp, a pivotable bar, and so on. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the griller  100 , having a pivotable top opening portion  523 , hinged along one side, according to the present invention. Here, there is a tab portion  525 , a slide member  528 , and handle  526 , such that the pivotable top opening portion can be secured in place by a mechanism such as that shown in  FIG. 9 . Here, an added snap fastener is shown having mating elements  532  and  533 ; this portion can be omitted or can be replaced by other known fastener types, i.e. by any fastening means known to any one having skill in the cooking utensil arts. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is an assembly view of the griller of  FIG. 11 . Here, the parts are numbered such that the top portion  623  has a fastener  633  and a tab portion  625 , and can be rotated as shown by the double-headed arrow. The lower portion  630  has a fastener  632  and a handle  626  with a slide fastener  628 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is an assembly view of another embodiment of the griller of the present invention having a top side  720  and a bottom side  722 . The handle portion  726  is secured in use to a tab portion  721  by a slide fastener (unnumbered in this view). Here, a pivot element  742  is provided in the top member  720  which can fit between any adjacent bars of a grating member  741 , so that the spacing between the top side  720  and the bottom side  722  is adjustable. 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a side schematic view of the griller  100  of  FIG. 14  in use, showing a food item  750  being held therein. In this view, the food item  750  is shown in section. 
         [0044]    The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same may be varied in many ways by a routineer in the applicable arts. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.