Patent ID: 8375847

Claim:
An apparatus for providing a raising and lowering means for a load into a cooking vessel, further comprising: a vertically adjustable stand; a winch mechanism affixed thereto a upper portion thereof said stand; a cable comprising a lower end and an upper end affixed thereto said winch mechanism; and, a hook attached thereto said lower end thereof said cable; wherein said vertically adjustable stand defines a cylindrical inner space comprising a diameter being slightly larger than that of said cooking vessel, thereby providing containment and secure entrapment thereof said cooking vessel; wherein said vertically adjustable stand contacts a ground surface; wherein said winch mechanism provides said raising and lowering means therefor said load wherein said winch mechanism further comprises: a winch mounting plate mounted thereto a terminal upper end thereof said leg assemblies for supporting said winch mechanism, said winch mounting plate comprising a cable aperture for permitting the routing of a cable therethrough; a pulley comprising an attachment means therefor said upper end thereof said cable and positioned thereabove said cable aperture; a rotating bar affixed thereto said winch mounting plate thereby a first locking block and a second locking block on opposing sides thereof said cable aperture and further comprising a handle on a first end and a cranking member extending therefrom said handle and routed therethrough and mechanically engaging said pulley; and, a winch locking mechanism slidably mounted thereto said winch mounting plate wherein said second locking block is mounted thereon and further comprising a plate with a stop block mounted thereon a distal upper end and a grasping portion located at a proximal end thereof; wherein said rotating bar provides a rotating means thereto said pulley; wherein said pulley provides an incremental reeling means thereby reeling in and paying out said cable; wherein said reeling means provides said raising and lowering means; wherein said winch locking mechanism mechanically interferes therewith said pulley when said stop block is positioned thereagainst; wherein said winch locking mechanism provides an incremental vertical cable securing means, thereby providing a control of a vertical position thereof a load thereon said hook; and, wherein said grasping portion thereof said winch locking mechanism extends outwardly thereto a perimeter region of said winch mounting plate and angled downwardly to provide easy engagement thereof said vertical cable securing means.