COOKING STAND APPARATUS

Abstract

A cooking stand apparatus has a plurality of legs, a post extending upwardly from the plurality of legs, and arm connected adjacent an upper end of the post opposite the plurality of legs, and a lifting assembly affixed adjacent an end of the arm away from the post. The lifting assembly is adapted to raise or lower an item relative to the plurality of legs. The arm angles upwardly from a lower end toward an upper end thereof. A handgrip is affixed to a lower end of the arm. The lifting assembly includes a reel, a line extending around the reel, and a hook or grasping device affixed to an end of the line. A handcrank or winch is cooperative the reel so as to raise or lower the end of the line.

Claims

1. A cooking stand apparatus comprising: a plurality of legs; a post extending upwardly from said plurality of legs; an arm connected adjacent an upper end of said post opposite said plurality of legs; and a lifting assembly affixed adjacent an end of said arm away from said post, said lifting assembly adapted to raise or lower an item relative to said plurality of legs.

2. The cooking stand apparatus claim 1, said plurality of legs comprising four legs that extend radially outwardly of said post.

3. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a collar extending around said post, said plurality of legs having an upper end that is pivotally attached to said collar, said collar being movable between an upper position and a lower position, said plurality of legs being retracted in said upper position, said plurality of legs being extended in said lower position.

4. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a line extending between said plurality of legs, said line limiting an angular position of said plurality of legs in the extended position.

5. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 1, said post having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being connected or interconnected to said plurality of legs, said second portion being rotatable relative to said first portion and axially aligned with said first portion.

6. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 5, said second portion having a lower end received within an upper end of said first portion, said second portion having a flange that extends radially outwardly of an exterior surface of said first portion, said flange abutting said upper end of said first portion.

7. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 1, said arm having an upper end and a lower end, said arm affixed to said post so as to extend at an angle upwardly from said lower end toward said upper end.

8. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a handgrip affixed to said lower end of said arm.

9. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 8, said handgrip comprising an angular section that extends downwardly from said lower end of said arm at an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said arm.

10. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 7, said arm having a first portion that extends radially outwardly of said post and a second portion that extends radially outwardly of said post, said first portion being axially aligned with said second portion.

11. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 10, said first and second portions of said arm being integrally formed together.

12. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 7, said arm being having a tubular member that extends downwardly from the underside thereof, said tubular member being connected to said upper end of said post.

13. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 12, said tubular member receiving said upper end of said post in an interior thereof, said tubular member and said arm being rotatable relative to said post.

14. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a first strut affixed to a first portion of said arm and to said tubular member; and a second strut affixed to a second portion of said arm and to said tubular member.

15. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 1, said lifting assembly comprising: a reel; a line extending around said reel and along said arm, said line having an end opposite said reel that extends downwardly from said arm; and a hook or grasping device affixed to said end of said line.

16. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 15, said lifting assembly further comprising: a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted interior of said arm, said line extending over said plurality of rollers within said arm.

17. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a handcrank or a winch cooperative with said reel so as to raise or lower said hook or grasping device at said end of said line.

18. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of feet respectively affixed to a lower end of said plurality of legs, each of said plurality of feet having a diameter greater than a width of a cross-section of the leg, each of said plurality of feet having a horizontal orientation when said plurality of legs are in an extended position.

19. The cooking stand apparatus of claim 1, the item comprising: a cooking container releasably connected to said lifting assembly, said lifting assembly adapted to raise or lower said cooking container toward or away from a heat source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the cooking stand in accordance with the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cooking stand of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the foot as optionally used with the cooking stand of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a side elevational exploded view of the cooking stand of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the there is shown the cooking stand 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cooking stand 10 includes a plurality of legs 12, a post 14 extending upwardly from the plurality of legs 12, an arm 16 connected to an end of the post 14 opposite the plurality of legs 12, and a lifting assembly 18 affixed to the arm 16 so as to cause a raising and lowering of an item in relation to the plurality of legs 12.

[0043] The plurality of legs 12 include four legs extending at 90 with respect to each other (as shown in FIG. 2). Each of the legs has an upper end 20 and a lower end 22. The lower end 22 is suitable for resting on an underlying surface. The upper end 20 is pivotally affixed to a collar 24. The collar 24 extends around the post 14. The collar 24 is movable between an upper position and a lower position. In the upper position, the plurality of legs 12 are retracted so as to reside in close proximity to the post 14. In the extended position (as shown in FIG. 1), the plurality of legs 12 are extended outwardly. A line 26 will extend from the lower end of the post 14 so as to connect with each of the plurality of legs 12. The line 26 has an end 28 that is affixed to each of the legs 12 in a location between the upper end 20 and the lower end 22. The line 26 is extended so as to limit the angular positions of the plurality of legs with respect to the post 14 when the plurality of legs 12 are in the extended position.

[0044] The post 14 has a first portion 30 and a second portion 32. The first portion 30 is connected to the plurality of legs 12 by way of the collar 24. The lines 26 are connected to the lower end 31 of the first portion 30 of post 14. The second portion 32 of the post 14 is affixed to the first portion 30. In particular, in the preferred embodiment, the second portion 32 is rotatably mounted within the interior of the first portion 30 (although this could be arranged in a vice-verse relationship). The first portion 30 is axially aligned with the second portion 32 so that the post 14 extends vertically. The second portion 32 will have a flange that extends outwardly of an exterior surface thereof so as to abut the top of the first portion 30 when the second portion 32 is installed into the first portion.

[0045] The arm 16 is shown as extending at an upward angle from a handgrip 34 toward an opposite end 36. The arm 16 has a first portion 38 and a second portion 40. The first portion 38 extends radially outwardly relative to the post 32. The second portion 40 also extends radially outwardly relative to the post 32. The first portion 38 is axially aligned with the second portion 40 and can be integrally formed therewith so as to have an extended elongate configuration. The handgrip 34 is located at the end of the first portion. It can be seen that the first portion 38 has a length that is longer than the second portion 40. The handgrip 34 is angled downwardly at an obtuse angle from the first portion 38. It can be seen that the end 36 of the arm 16 is higher than the handgrip 34.

[0046] In FIG. 1, there is a tubular member 42 that is affixed to the arm 16 and extends downwardly therefrom. A first strut 44 extends from the tubular member 42 toward a central location on the first portion 38 of the arm 16. A second strut 47 extends from the tubular member 42 toward a central portion of the second portion 40 of the arm 16. The tubular member 42 can be fitted over the outer diameter of the second portion 32 of the post 14 so as to be in rotatable relation thereto. As such, a movement of the handgrip 34 causes the arm 16 to rotate relative to the post 14 so as to cause a corresponding movement of the opposite end 36 of the arm 16.

[0047] The lifting assembly 18 includes a reel 46 that is generally affixed adjacent to the handgrip 34. The reel 46 can be part of a winch, a hand crank, or a similar device. A suitable braking mechanism should be provided on the reel 46 so as to fix a rotatable position of the reel. A line 48 extends around the reel 46 and also extends along the arm 16. The line 48 has an opposite end 50 that extends outwardly of the opposite end 36 of the arm 16. A hook or grasping device 52 is located generally at the end of the line 50. As such, when the line 48 is played out by the reel 46, the hook 52 can lower downwardly. When the line 48 is played inwardly, then the hook 52 can lift upwardly. The reel 46 allows the line 48 to extend and retract. A plurality of rollers 54 can be provided on the arm 16 so as to allow the line 48 to extend thereover and to facilitate the movement of the line 48.

[0048] It can be seen in FIG. 1 that there is a foot 60 that is located at the lower end 22 of the leg 12. The foot 60 has a diameter greater than a cross-section of the leg 12. The foot 60 can be placed at the lower end of each of the leg so as to enhance the stability of the plurality of legs 12 and of the cooking stand 10. The foot 60 has a hole therein. A stake 62 can be introduced through such a hole so as to secure the foot 60 and the cooking stand 10 to an underlying surface.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows the operation of the present invention. In particular, there is a cooking basket 64 having a handle 66 extending therefrom. A boiling pot 68 is illustrated as located below the cooking basket 64. The boiling pot 68 is located upon a heat source 70, such as a fire. In normal use, the hook 52 can engage the handle 66 of the cooking basket 64 so as to raise or lower the cooking basket 64 from or into the interior of the boiling pot 68. In actual use, the arm 16 can be rotated away from the boiling pot 68 so that the cooking basket 64 can be located a safe distance away from the heat source 70. In this position, the crawfish, or other food item, can be introduced into the basket. The arm 16 can then be rotated in an elevated position so that the cooking basket 64 resides directly upon and over the boiling pot 68. The reel 46 can then play out the line 48 so that the hook 52 lowers so as to thereby cause the cooking basket 64 to lower and drop into the boiling pot 68. After cooking, the reverse action can be carried out so as to lift the heated cooking basket 64 and to rotate the cooking basket 64 away from the heat source 70.

[0050] In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the heat source 70 and the boiling pot 68 are located between an adjacent pair of the plurality of legs 42. This configuration provides additional stability to the boiling pot 68 and the heat source 70 while, at the same time, enhance and the stability of the cooking stand 10. If necessary, a table 72 can be provided between another adjacent pair of the plurality of legs 12. As such, the cooking basket 64 can be rotated and lowered so as to reside upon the top surface of the table 72. In all circumstances, the person carrying out the cooking activity is forced to stand a significant distance away from the heat source 70 and the boiling pot 68. As such, the present invention effectively avoids burns to the person doing the cooking.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the cooking stand 10. As can be seen, the plurality of legs 12 includes a first leg 80, a second leg 82, a third leg 84, and a fourth leg 86. Each of the legs are separated by 90. The post 14 is located centrally of the plurality of legs 12. The arm 16 is illustrated as extending above the plurality of legs 12.

[0052] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that there is a boiling pot 88 that is securely positioned between the first leg 80 and the second leg 82. Another boiling pot 90 can be positioned between the first leg 80 and the fourth leg 86. A fryer pot 92 is illustrated as being positioned between the second leg 84 and the third leg 86. An optional spill tray 94 can be located below the fryer pot 92. The spill tray 94 will have a raised edge of so as to collect any spilled oil from the fryer pot 92. If desired, this spill tray 94 can be filled with cat litter so as to absorb the spilled oil. The arm 16 can be manipulated from any position so as to carry out the necessary cooking activities.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows the foot pad 60. The footpad 60 includes a receptacle 96 therein that receives the lower end of the leg 12. A hole 94 can be provided on the footbed 60 so as to allow the stake 62 to be inserted therein so as to secure the cooking stand 10 of the present invention. It can be seen that the foot 60 has a circular configuration. Of course, a wide variety of shapes, sizes and configurations of through foot pad can also be used with cooking stand 10.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the cooking stand 10 of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 4 shows that the post 14 has a first portion 30 and a second portion 32. The end 100 of the first portion 32 of post 14 will be received in the upper end 102 of the first portion 30. A flange 104 extends outwardly of the outer diameter of the second portion 32 of the post 14 so as to abut the top end 102 of the first portion 30 of the post.

[0055] FIG. 4 further shows that the arm 16 has a tubular member 42 that will be received by the upper end 106 of the second portion 32 of the post 14. If desired, another flange can be provided at the outer diameter of the second portion 32 of the post 14 so as to fix a position of the tubular member 42. Alternatively, the upper and 106 of the second portion 32 of post 10 can simply abut the inner end of the tubular member 14.

[0056] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.