초록 ▼

A mechanical apparatus that lowers and raises a turkey, or similar food item, into a large fry pot is herein disclosed. The apparatus has a vertically-adjustable tripod stand that is positioned over the top center of a fry pot. A manual cranking mechanism lowers and raises a steel cable having a gra

A mechanical apparatus that lowers and raises a turkey, or similar food item, into a large fry pot is herein disclosed. The apparatus has a vertically-adjustable tripod stand that is positioned over the top center of a fry pot. A manual cranking mechanism lowers and raises a steel cable having a grasping hook at the distal end. Additionally, the steel cable can have a basket at its distal end. In operation, the turkey to be fried is placed thereon the hook or therein the metal basket. Then, with the user a safe distance removed, the crank lowers the food into the hot oil in a controlled manner. When the food has finished cooking, the cranking mechanism is reversed to raise the food from the fryer. The apparatus may also be provided having an alternate electric-powered winch.

대표청구항 ▼

1. 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; an

1. 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. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vertically adjustable stand further comprises: a tripod stand assembly, further comprising; three adjustable leg assemblies comprising a lower portion and an upper portion converging inwardly therefrom said lower portion;a plurality of connecting bars affixed thereto and interconnecting said leg assemblies; and,a plurality of attachable stabilizing feet each attachable thereto each of a terminal lower end thereof said leg assemblies;wherein said tripod stand provides strength and a rigid structure for said apparatus and said load during said raising and lowering means, thereby applying a heavy weight thereagainst for resisting an unintended skewing or collapsing motion;wherein said connecting bars provide a strengthening means thereto said tripod stand assembly; and,wherein each said stabilizing foot provides an improved stability of said apparatus on ground surfaces of various grades. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said leg assemblies each comprise an adjustability means further comprising: a base section;an extendable section slidably engaged therein said base section; and,a leg locking mechanism for securing said extendable section thereto said base section thereat a desired position;wherein said base section and said extendable section are interconnected to form a single unit;wherein said stabilizing foot is removably attachable thereto a proximal end thereof said extendable section;wherein said adjustability means allows for selectable upward or downward movement to regulate said apparatus therewith a height of said cooking vessel; and,wherein said adjustability means provides an incremental adjustment therefor said desired position between a fully extended state to a fully retracted state. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said leg locking mechanism further comprises a common tubular clamping collar and further comprising an extending quarter-turn lever. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said leg assemblies comprise a framework being made of metal round-stock having a diameter sizable to accommodate and stabilize a weight of said apparatus and said load. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said leg assemblies are spaced approximately every one hundred ten degrees therefrom one another in a stabilizing fashion. 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said connecting bars further comprise: a lower stiffener bar affixed thereat and interconnecting a lower location of said lower portion of said leg assemblies;an upper stiffener bar affixed thereat and interconnecting an upper location of said lower portion of said leg assemblies;a pair of intermediate connector bars affixed thereat and interconnecting a lower location of said upper portion of said leg assemblies; and,an upper connecting bar affixed thereat and interconnecting an upper location of said upper portion of said leg assemblies;wherein said plurality of connecting bars each provide enhanced stiffness, thereby resisting structural deflection therefrom a weight of said load thereon said apparatus. 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said stabilizing feet further comprises an orbital footpad feature motioning thereabout a longitudinal axis of each leg assembly. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said stabilizing feet further comprises a high-friction bottom surface. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first locking block comprises a first locking knob and said second locking block comprises a second locking knob; wherein said first locking knob and said second locking knob each provides a rotational restriction means thereto said rotating bar thereby providing improved rotational control. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a winch mechanism housing comprising a protective open-bottom enclosure being held in position via a common axle-type hinge attachable thereto said winch mounting plate and further comprising a bar aperture permitting the routing thereof said rotating bar therethrough. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said cable further comprises: a length of cable with said upper end affixed thereto said pulley;a stop collar adjustably attached thereto said cable;a guide comprising a flat circular disc resting thereupon said stop collar and a center aperture thereof allowing said cable to slidingly travel therethrough; and,a cable fastener located at said lower end for attaching said hook thereto;wherein said load is supported thereby said hook;wherein said guide prevents said cable from an undesirable motion when said foodstuffs are supported thereby said apparatus and during said raising and lowering means;wherein said guide contacts an upper portion thereof said cooking vessel when said cable is lowered;wherein said cable slidingly moves therethrough said guide in order to introduce said load therein said cooking vessel thereto a desired position; and,wherein said guide provides a splash guard function, thereby preventing contents within said cooking vessel from splashing or spraying upwardly. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a basket removably attached thereto said hook, further comprising: a cylindrical mesh container further comprising an upper frame and a lower frame supporting a bottom mesh wall and a side mesh wall;a lid hingedly attached thereto said upper frame;a hasp for securing said lid thereto said container; and,an eyelet centrally attached thereto said lid and extending upwardly for removably attaching said basket thereto said hook and positioned and affixed along upper and lower perimeter edges of said basket side walls;wherein said diameter thereof said basket allows said basket to be easily inserted therein said cooking vessel;wherein said load is inserted therein said basket and secured therein said lid and said hasp. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said hook is a carabiner. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said guard is a metal screen material. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said stand is fabricated with a resilient and lightweight metallic material. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, 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 winch locking mechanism slidably mounted thereto said winch mounting plate wherein a 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;a motor mounted thereto said winch mounting plate adjacent thereto said cable aperture;a motor shaft rotatably driven thereby said motor at a first end and attached thereto a locking block mounted thereto said winch mounting plate on an opposing side thereof said cable aperture;a power cord removably attachable thereto said motor for providing electrical power thereto; and,a control switch in electrical communication therewith and comprising a controlling means therefor said motor;wherein said control switch controls power thereto said motor;wherein said motor provides a sufficient torque and horsepower thereto said apparatus to provide said raising and lowering means;wherein said motor drives said motor shaft when receiving said power;wherein said motor shaft 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;wherein said winch mechanism allows a user to operate said winch from a safe distance therefrom said apparatus and said cooking vessel. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said control switch further comprises an “UP” button providing a vertical raising means and a “DOWN” button for providing a vertical lowering means. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said locking block comprises a locking knob; wherein said locking knob provides a rotational restriction means thereto said motor shaft, thereby providing improved rotational control. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a winch mechanism housing comprising a protective open-bottom enclosure being held in position via a common axle-type hinge attachable thereto said winch mounting plate and further comprising a bar aperture permitting the routing thereof said rotating bar therethrough. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said cable further comprises: a length of cable with said upper end affixed thereto said pulley;a stop collar adjustably attached thereto said cable;a guide comprising a flat circular disc resting thereupon said stop collar and a center aperture thereof allowing said cable to slidingly travel therethrough; and,a cable fastener located at said lower end for attaching said hook thereto;wherein said load is supported thereby said hook;wherein said guide prevents said cable from an undesirable motion when said foodstuffs are supported thereby said apparatus and during said raising and lowering means;wherein said guide contacts an upper portion thereof said cooking vessel when said cable is lowered;wherein said cable slidingly moves therethrough said guide in order to introduce said load therein said cooking vessel thereto a desired position; and,wherein said guide provides a splash guard function, thereby preventing contents within said cooking vessel from splashing or spraying upwardly. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a basket removably attached thereto said hook, further comprising: a cylindrical mesh container further comprising an upper frame and a lower frame supporting a bottom mesh wall and a side mesh wall;a lid hingedly attached thereto said upper frame;a hasp for securing said lid thereto said container; and,an eyelet centrally attached thereto said lid and extending upwardly for removably attaching said basket thereto said hook and positioned and affixed along upper and lower perimeter edges of said basket side walls;wherein said diameter thereof said basket allows said basket to be easily inserted therein said cooking vessel;wherein said load is inserted therein said basket and secured therein said lid and said hasp. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said hook is a carabiner. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said guard is a metal screen material. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said stand is fabricated with a resilient and lightweight metallic material. 26. A method for manually raising and lowering a load thereinto a cooking vessel supported thereby a vertically adjustable apparatus comprises the following steps: providing said apparatus further comprising: a vertically adjustable stand, further comprising: three (3) adjustable leg assemblies comprising a lower portion and an upper portion converging inwardly therefrom said lower portion;an adjustability means further comprising a base section, an extendable section slidably engaged therein said base section, a leg locking mechanism further comprising an extending quarter-turn lever for securing said extendable section thereto said base section thereat a desired position;a lower stiffener bar affixed thereat and interconnecting a lower intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat said lower portion;an upper stiffener bar affixed thereat and interconnecting an upper intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat said lower portion;a pair of intermediate connector bars affixed thereat and interconnecting a lower intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat an upper portion;an upper connecting bar affixed thereat and interconnecting an upper intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat an upper portion; and,an attachable stabilizing foot attachable thereto each of a terminal lower end thereof said leg assemblies further comprising an orbital footpad feature motioning thereabout a longitudinal axis of each leg assembly and a high-friction bottom surface;a winch mechanism affixed thereto a upper portion thereof said stand, further comprising: a winch support plate mounted thereto a terminal upper end thereof said leg assemblies for supporting said winch mechanism, said winch support 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 support 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;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;a first locking knob and a second locking knob each providing a rotational restriction means thereto said rotating bar thereby providing improved rotational control; and,a winch mechanism housing comprising a protective open-bottom enclosure being held in position via a common axle-type hinge attachable thereto said winch mounting plate and further comprising a bar aperture permitting the routing thereof said rotating bar therethrough;a length of cable with said upper end affixed thereto said pulley;a stop collar adjustably attached thereto said cable;a guide comprising a flat circular disc resting thereupon said stop collar and a center aperture thereof allowing said cable to slidingly travel therethrough; and,a cable fastener located at said lower end for attaching said hook thereto;positioning said apparatus thereupon a ground surface;adjustably extending and/or retracting each said extendable section of said leg assemblies at said desired position said winch mechanism may be operably placed an easily obtainable and operational distance thereabove said cooking vessel;locking each of said leg assemblies at said desirable position via said leg locking mechanism;placing said apparatus therearound said cooking vessel such that said lower stiffener bar, said upper stiffener bar, said pair of lower connecting bars, said upper connecting bar, and said leg assemblies partially envelop said cooking vessel;securing said load thereon said hook;disengaging said winch locking mechanism, if engaged thereon said pulley, to releasably secure said load thereby grasping said grasping portion and removing said stop block therefrom said pulley, thereby allowing movement thereof;gripping said handle portion of said rotating bar;rotating said handle in a first direction so as to lower said load thereinto said cooking vessel, wherein said handle rotates said cranking member, which rotates said pulley and pays out said cable and said load attached thereto said hook;securing a vertical position of said load by manually inserting said winch locking mechanism thereon said pulley, thereby restricting movement thereof;commencing to perform a cooking process for said load, wherein said guard prevents any splashing or spraying of contents within said cooking vessel;once said cooking process is completed, removing said load therefrom said cooking vessel by releasing said winch locking mechanism by grasping said grasping portion and removing said top block therefrom said pulley, rotating said handle in a second direction, thereby rotating said cranking portion, rotating said pulley, and reeling in said cable and said load attached thereto said hook;engaging said winch locking mechanism thereat a fully raised position; and,removing said load therefrom said hook for subsequent consumption or processing. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: placing said load therein a basket, wherein said basket comprises a cylindrical mesh container further comprising an upper frame and a lower frame supporting a bottom mesh wall and a side mesh wall, a lid hingedly attached thereto said upper frame, a hasp for securing said lid thereto said container, and an eyelet centrally attached thereto said lid and extending upwardly for removably attaching said basket thereto said hook and positioned and affixed along upper and lower perimeter edges of said basket side walls;hingedly closing said lid and securing said lid therewith said hasp, thereby fully enclosing said load therein;attaching said basket thereto said hook;removing said load therefrom said basket by unlatching said hasp and hingedly opening said lid, thereby gaining access thereto said load; and,detaching said basket therefrom said hook. 28. A method for raising and lowering a load thereinto a cooking vessel supported thereby a vertically adjustable apparatus comprising an electrically powered raising and lowering means comprises the following steps: providing said apparatus further comprising: a vertically adjustable stand, further comprising: three (3) adjustable leg assemblies comprising a lower portion and an upper portion converging inwardly therefrom said lower portion;an adjustability means further comprising a base section, an extendable section slidably engaged therein said base section, a leg locking mechanism further comprising an extending quarter-turn lever for securing said extendable section thereto said base section thereat a desired position;a lower stiffener bar affixed thereat and interconnecting a lower intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat said lower portion;an upper stiffener bar affixed thereat and interconnecting an upper intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat said lower portion;a pair of intermediate connector bars affixed thereat and interconnecting a lower intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat an upper portion;an upper connecting bar affixed thereat and interconnecting an upper intermediate location thereof said leg assemblies thereat an upper portion; and,an attachable stabilizing foot attachable thereto each of a terminal lower end thereof said leg assemblies further comprising an orbital footpad feature motioning thereabout a longitudinal axis of each leg assembly and a high-friction bottom surface;a winch mechanism affixed thereto a upper portion thereof said stand, further comprising: a winch support plate mounted thereto a terminal upper end thereof said leg assemblies for supporting said winch mechanism, said winch support 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 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;a motor mounted thereto said winch mounting plate adjacent thereto said cable aperture;a motor shaft rotatably driven thereby said motor at a first end and attached thereto a locking block mounted thereto said winch mounting plate on an opposing side thereof said cable aperture;a power cord removably attachable thereto said motor for providing electrical power thereto; and,a control switch in electrical communication therewith and comprising a controlling means therefor said motor, wherein said control switch further comprises an “UP button providing a vertical raising means and a “DOWN” button for providing a vertical lowering means;a locking knob providing a rotational restriction means thereto said motor shaft, thereby providing improved rotational control; and,a winch mechanism housing comprising a protective open-bottom enclosure being held in position via a common axle-type hinge attachable thereto said winch mounting plate and further comprising a bar aperture permitting the routing thereof said rotating bar therethrough;a length of cable with said upper end affixed thereto said pulley;a stop collar adjustably attached thereto said cable;a guide comprising a flat circular disc resting thereupon said stop collar and a center aperture thereof allowing said cable to slidingly travel therethrough; and,a cable fastener located at said lower end for attaching said hook thereto;positioning said apparatus thereupon a ground surface;adjustably extending and/or retracting each said extendable section of said leg assemblies at said desired position said winch mechanism may be operably placed an easily obtainable and operational distance thereabove said cooking vessel;locking each of said leg assemblies at said desirable position via said leg locking mechanism;placing said apparatus therearound said cooking vessel such that said lower stiffener bar, said upper stiffener bar, said pair of lower connecting bars, said upper connecting bar, and said leg assemblies partially envelop said cooking vessel;securing said load thereon said hook;connecting said power cord thereto said motor;supplying power thereto said power cord;disengaging said winch locking mechanism, if engaged thereon said pulley, to releasably secure said load thereby grasping said grasping portion and removing said stop block therefrom said pulley, thereby allowing movement thereof;initiating said motorized winch mechanism by activating said controlling means therewith said control switch;depressing said “DOWN” button, thereby activating said controlling means to operate said motor so as to lower said load thereinto said cooking vessel, wherein said motor rotates said motor shaft in a first direction, which rotates said pulley and pays out said cable and said load attached thereto said hook;securing a vertical position of said load by manually inserting said winch locking mechanism thereon said pulley, thereby restricting movement thereof;commencing to perform a cooking process for said load, wherein said guard prevents any splashing or spraying of contents within said cooking vessel;once said cooking process is completed, removing said load therefrom said cooking vessel by releasing said winch locking mechanism by grasping said grasping portion and removing said top block therefrom said pulley, depressing said “UP” button, thereby activating said controlling means to operate said motor so as to raise said load therefrom said cooking vessel, wherein said motor rotates said motor shaft in a second direction, thereby rotating said pulley and reeling in said cable and said load attached thereto said hook;engaging said winch locking mechanism thereat a fully raised position; and,removing said load therefrom said hook for subsequent consumption or processing. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of: placing said load therein a basket, wherein said basket comprises a cylindrical mesh container further comprising an upper frame and a lower frame supporting a bottom mesh wall and a side mesh wall, a lid hingedly attached thereto said upper frame, a hasp for securing said lid thereto said container, and an eyelet centrally attached thereto said lid and extending upwardly for removably attaching said basket thereto said hook and positioned and affixed along upper and lower perimeter edges of said basket side walls;hingedly closing said lid and securing said lid therewith said hasp, thereby fully enclosing said load therein;attaching said basket thereto said hook;removing said load therefrom said basket by unlatching said hasp and hingedly opening said lid, thereby gaining access thereto said load; and,detaching said basket therefrom said hook.