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US 6,439,107 B1Granted
Gas fired outdoor cooking apparatus
AssigneeMetal Fusion, Inc.
InventorNorman R. Bourgeois
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook (boiling, steaming or frying). The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner can include upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. Alternatively, the burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Struts are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.
Claims63
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a burner having a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, a supply hose for supplying propane to the burner element, the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;
- b) a pot that includes a generally flat bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall, the pot having a generally cylindrically shaped interior;
- c) the frame including a plurality of at least three struts, each strut including a second strut portion, a second strut portion and a third strut portion, the second strut portion of each strut being generally parallel with the bottom portion of the pot, the second strut portion of each strut extending in a generally vertical direction from the second strut portion, the third strut portion extending downwardly from the second strut portion;
- d) at least a portion of each of the first strut portions extending underneath the bottom portion of the pot when the pot is placed on the frame;
- and
- e) the second strut portions restricting a range of lateral pot movement during use of the cooking apparatus such as when a food to be cooked is inserted into or removed from the pot.
3 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a burner having a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, a supply hose for supplying propane to the burner element, the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;
- b) a pot that includes a generally flat bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall, the pot having a generally cylindrically shaped interior;
- c) a food holder that fits inside the pot, the liner having a lower end portion for holding foot and an upper end portion that enables a user to grip and lift or lower the food holder;
- d) the frame including a plurality of struts, each strut comprising a first strut portion, a second strut portion and a third strut portion, the first strut portion of each strut being generally parallel with the bottom portion of the pot, the second strut portion of each strut generally tracking upwardly along the sidewall of the pot, the third strut portion including an inclined portion and comprising at least in part the base;
- e) at least a portion of at least one of the first strut portions extending underneath the bottom portion of the pot when the pot is placed on the frame;
- and
- f) the second strut portions restricting a range of lateral pot movement during use of the cooking apparatus such as when the food holder is inserted into or removed from the pot.
4 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a burner having a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, a supply hose for supplying propane to the burner element, the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;
- b) a pot that includes a generally flat bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall, the pot having a generally cylindrically shaped interior;
- c) the frame further including a plurality of struts, each strut comprising a first strut portion and a second strut portion, the first strut portion of each strut being generally parallel with the bottom portion of the pot;
- d) at least a portion of the first strut portions extending underneath the bottom portion of the pot when the pot is placed on the frame;
- e) each strut further including a second strut portion with an upper end spaced vertically above the bottom of the pot and closely positioned generally parallel to the sidewall of the pot during use;
- and
- f) the upper end of each second strut portion restricting a range of lateral pot movement during use of the cooking apparatus such as when a liner is inserted or removed from the pot.
4 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a burner having a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, a supply hose for supplying propane to the burner element, the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;
- b) a pot that includes a generally flat bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall, the pot having a generally cylindrically shaped interior;
- c) the frame including a plurality of generally “ell” shaped struts that include first and second strut portions that are closely positioned to the sidewall and bottom of the pot, the first strut portion extending along a generally vertical path and the second strut portion extending horizontally to provide a horizontal surface that can cradle the bottom of the pot;
- and
- d) wherein the ell shaped struts forming a lateral restraint to the pot for preventing tilting or lateral movement of the pot such as when the liner is inserted into or removed from the pot.
2 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a burner having a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;
- b) a pot that includes a generally flat bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall, the pot having a generally cylindrically shaped interior;
- and
- c) the frame including a plurality of struts that each include a plurality of strut portions, one of the strut portions extending upwardly along a generally vertical path, another of the strut portions extending horizontally to provide a horizontal surface that can cradle the bottom of the pot, another strut portion providing a downwardly extending leg;
- d) wherein the struts provide a lateral restraint structure for preventing tilting or lateral movement of the pot such as when the liner is inserted into or removed from the pot.
2 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a frame having a base for engaging an underlying support surface;
- b) a burner element mounted on the frame for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking;
- c) a supply hose for supplying pressurized fuel gas to the burner;
- d) the frame having a support surface for cradling a pot;
- e) the frame including a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending struts, each strut having vertical and horizontal strut portions that are generally parallel to either the sidewall or the bottom of the pot during use, the horizontal strut portions positioned to cradle the bottom of the pot during use, the vertical strut portions positioned to prevent substantial lateral movement of the pot during use;
- and
- f) wherein the struts include integral members, each member having multiple bends including at least one bend that is between the vertical and the horizontal strut portions.
4 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, and a supply hose for supplying fuel to the cooking element;
- b) a pot that includes a generally flat bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall, the pot having a generally cylindrically shaped interior;
- c) the burner frame including a plurality of struts that include first, second strut portions that closely conform respectively to the bottom portion and side wall of the pot, the second strut portion extending horizontally to provide a horizontal surface that can cradle the bottom of the pot and the first strut portion extending upwardly along a generally vertical path;
- d) wherein the struts form a lateral restraint to the pot for limiting lateral movement of the pot such as when the liner is inserted into or removed from the pot;
- and
- e) each strut including a leg portion that extends well below the burner element.
3 more elements
A cooking apparatus, comprising:
- a) a frame having a base for engaging an underlying support surface;
- b) a pot supported by the frame during use and having a side wall, a bottom and an open top;
- c) a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking;
- d) a supply hose for supplying pressurized fuel gas to the burner;
- e) the burner frame including a plurality of struts, each strut including generally vertical and generally horizontal strut portions, each vertical strut portion extending upwardly along a generally vertical path that is generally parallel to the pot side wall and each horizontal strut portion extending horizontally to engage the pot bottom;
- and
- f) wherein each strut includes an inclined section.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.