“COOKING DEVICE”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described here concern a cooking device. The device can be used for indirect and/or direct cooking. In particular, this device can be used for cooking food, for example meat of various types, cuts and sizes, but not only. The device can also be used, in fact, to cook fish, vegetables, greens and other food.

For example, in order to carry out so-called indirect cooking, the food is attached to a frame, for example by means of skewers, hooks or similar supports, which is kept in a position more or less close to, albeit separated from, a heat source which can be a flame and/or its embers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The custom, particularly in South American countries, of cooking certain types of food is known, and in particular the meat of animals such as, for example, lamb, horse, pig, goat, but above all beef, on a grill in an indirect manner, that is, for example flame cooking in which the food is only lapped by the flame and is not disposed in contact with the heat source.

This indirect cooking mode is achieved, in particular, by keeping the meat to be cooked at a more or less close distance to a heat source, even for several hours.

The heat source can be a flame produced by burning wood and/or charcoal, or it can be made up of the embers produced by the latter.

For this purpose, grills for indirect cooking of meat are known which comprise a frame, on which one or more cuts of meat are attached, and a base to which the frame as above is connected, in a vertical or sub-vertical position.

The size of the frame has to be such as to support and allow the attachment of the meat to be cooked which can reach, if cooking the whole animal, even a weight of 400 kg and more. For this reason, the frame and base are made of metal material.

However, in known grills the metal materials used to make the frame are often not suitable for contact with food, which could cause a poisoning thereof, even making it inedible. In a lower position with respect to the frame, and proximal with respect to the base, the grill can be provided with a brazier inside which the wood and/or coal is burned. Possibly, the wood and/or coal can be burned directly on the ground.

The brazier is intended to contain and confine the source of heat that is released radially, hitting the frame and the meat positioned thereon.

It is essential to be able to adjust the distance of the frame with respect to the source of heat in order to obtain an optimal cooking of the meat and to prevent, for example, the latter from being raw or overcooked.

Known grills allow, for this purpose, to incline the frame in the direction of the heat source.

This operation is, however, very laborious, since it is necessary to act manually in order to release the frame from the base, and at the same time risky, because the operation occurs in the proximity of the heat source.

It is equally essential to cook the meat on both sides. For this purpose, it is necessary to be able to rotate the frame in order to also expose the second side of the meat to be cooked to the heat source.

One problem with known grills is that in order to rotate the frame to also expose the second side of the meat to be cooked to the heat source, it is necessary to release the frame from the base by lifting it manually, and then supporting it entirely, in order to then constrain it to the base once again once the rotation operation is completed.

This operation is particularly difficult both due to the high temperatures of the frame and of the brazier in front of it, and also due to the heavy weight that it is necessary to bear, particularly in the case of cooking the whole animal, with the high risk that the meat will fall into the brazier or on the ground.

Furthermore, if the frame does not assume a stable position with respect to the base, during cooking it could rotate with respect to the latter, causing an incorrect exposure of the meat to the heat source.

Document DE 20 2017 104 417 U1 describes a grill device that has a frame for supporting food that can be adjusted angularly, both away ffom/nearer to the heat source, and also rotating on itself with respect to the heat source. However, this known solution has the disadvantage that, in order to rotate the food support frame, it is necessary to completely lift the latter, and the entire weight of the food associated therewith, in order to release the shank of the frame from the positioning means provided, and subsequently reposition the frame in the desired angular position. Therefore, the adjustment of this cooking device is tiring, dangerous and laborious.

Document US 3,559,565 describes a barbecue grill provided with a rotatable frame.

There is therefore a need to perfect a grill for indirect cooking which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a grill for indirect cooking that can be adjusted, in terms of distance and position with respect to the heat source, in an easy, quick and safe manner for the user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a grill for indirect cooking the adjustment of which, in order to expose the food to the heat source to cook it homogeneously on the entire surface, is rapid and not tiring, regardless of the weight of the food.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a grill for indirect cooking provided with components that can be easily assembled and disassembled, for example, in order to be washed after their use.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a grill for indirect cooking made with materials suitable for contact with food.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

Embodiments described here concern a device for cooking by means of a heat source provided at the front.

The device comprises a frame, which lies on a lying plane, which acts as a support for food to be cooked.

The frame is rotatably mounted on a base support, in order to be both oscillating around a first horizontal axis in order to be moved away from/nearer to the heat source, and also rotatable on itself around a second axis of longitudinal development of its own, transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the first axis as above in order to selectively assume at least two stable cooking positions selectively facing the front heat source, and one rotated by 180° with respect to the other.

The device comprises a first pivoting unit configured to allow the oscillation of frame with respect to the first axis, and a second pivoting unit configured to allow the frame to rotate on itself around the second axis.

In addition, a release mechanism is provided for activating/deactivating at least the second pivoting unit so as to selectively allow the rotation around the second axis. Preferably, the release mechanism as above activates/deactivates both pivoting units.

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure.

The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible. These individual aspects, for example aspects and characteristics included in the description or in the attached dependent claims, can be the object of divisional applications.

It is understood that any aspect or characteristic that is discovered, during the patenting process, to be already known, shall not be claimed and shall be the object of a disclaimer.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a perspective view of a grill for indirect cooking in accordance with the present invention;

- fig. 2 is another perspective view of a grill for indirect cooking in accordance with the embodiments described here; - fig. 3 is a lateral view of a possible embodiment described here;

- fig. 4 is a partial top plan view of figs. 1-2;

- figs. 5-7 are partly sectioned and enlarged lateral views of fig. 2;

- fig. 8 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of fig.1 ;

- fig. 9 is a perspective view of fig.3 in which a protective screen is provided in accordance with the embodiments described here;

- fig. 10 is a possible embodiment of the detail of fig. 8;

- figs. 1 1-12 show a perspective view of fig.l in which a protective screen is provided in accordance with the embodiments described here.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

Embodiments described using the attached drawings concern an indirect and/or direct cooking device, by means of a heat source located at the front, indicated as a whole with reference number 10 in the attached drawings. The heat source can be, for example, a heat source consisting of embers, a flame, heated stone material, heated metal material, or other, or a combination of these heat sources.

By indirect cooking we mean a type of cooking that occurs mainly by convection and where there is no contact or resting of the food on hot cooking supports. In this type of cooking, the food to be cooked is kept, for more or less long periods of time, even several hours, at a more or less close distance to the heat source.

By direct cooking we mean a type of cooking that occurs by direct radiation of heat on the food and by conduction, by resting the food on supports.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device 10 comprises a frame 11 for supporting food which lies on a lying plane L which acts as a support for food to be cooked.

The frame 11 is rotatably mounted on a base support 12, so as to be both oscillating around a first horizontal axis X in order to be moved away from/closer to the heat source, and also rotatable on itself around a second axis Y of longitudinal development of its own, transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the first axis X in order to selectively assume at least two stable cooking positions selectively facing the front heat source, and one rotated by 180° with respect to the other.

In this way, it is possible, by directing it in the desired manner, to incline the frame 11 in the direction of the heat source in order to control the cooking uniformity and speed of the food and rotate the frame 11.

In accordance with some embodiments, the device 10 comprises a first pivoting unit PI configured to allow the oscillation of the frame 11 with respect to the first axis X, and a second pivoting unit P2 configured to allow the rotation of the frame 11 on itself around the second axis Y, a clamp/release mechanism 14 being provided for activating/deactivating at least the second pivoting unit P2 so as to selectively allow the rotation around the second axis Y, as will be better described below.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in figs. 3-4, by driving the clamp/release mechanism 14 it is possible to direct the frame 11 both with respect to the first axis X (fig. 3), and also with respect to the second axis Y (fig. 4) avoiding operating manually in the zone close to the base support 12. In fact, this zone is difficult to access due to the high temperatures of the heat source located in the immediate vicinity.

The frame 11 is stably attached to a tubular upright 13 which develops along the second axis Y and is provided with a first lower distal end 13a and a second upper proximal end 13b. The first end 13a is associated both with the first pivoting unit PI, and also with the second pivoting unit P2, and the second end 13b is associated with the clamp/release mechanism 14.

In accordance with the embodiments shown for example in fig. 8 and fig. 10, the first pivoting unit PI comprises a pivoting fork 15 connected to the first end 13a of the tubular upright 13, and at least a pivoting portion 12c provided on the base support 12 and disposed orthogonally both with respect to the first axis X, and also with respect to an attachment plate 12a of the base support 12. In particular, the pivoting fork 15 is pivoted to the pivoting portion 12c, in order to oscillate around the first axis X.

In particular, the pivoting fork 15 is disposed in the proximity of the heat source, for example above the attachment plate 12a of the base support 12.

The pivoting fork 15 not only acts as a support of the tubular upright 13 which supports the frame 11, but also as a mechanical member involved in the drive of mechanical means able to allow the adjustment and movement, without effort and in safe conditions, of the frame 11 itself.

In accordance with some embodiments, the base support 12 also comprises a guide mean 12b. The pivoting fork 15, associated with the tubular upright 13, is rotatable around the first axis X along said guide mean 12b in order to define the desired angular position of the frame 11.

The guide mean 12b is provided with positioning means, for example apertures, seatings, recesses or grooves, generally indicated with reference number 23 in the attached drawings; hereafter, for simplicity we will refer to apertures 23. The apertures 23 are each correlated to a specific angular position which can be assumed by the pivoting fork 15 connected to the tubular upright 13 and, overall, by the frame 1 1.

The apertures 23 are able to be selectively engaged by the clamp/release mechanism 14 as above. The latter, in particular, includes at least a first clamping element 21 selectively mobile, in particular along the second axis Y.

In particular, the first clamping element 21 is configured to pass from a clamped condition, in which it clamps the first pivoting unit PI, to a released condition, in which respectively it allows the oscillation of the frame 11 with respect to the first axis X.

For this purpose, in some embodiments, the first clamping element 21 is configured to engage one of the apertures 23, selectively and on each occasion, as a function of the desired angular position. This cooperation between the first clamping element 21 and one of the apertures 23 selected on each occasion defines the desired angular position of the pivoting fork 15 connected to the tubular upright 13 and, consequently, of the frame 11. In accordance with some embodiments, the first clamping element 21 is mobile with respect to the tubular upright 13 (figs. 5 and 6).

Once the clamp/release mechanism 14 has been driven (figs. 1 and 2), the first clamping element 21 is translated with respect to its end-of-travel position inserted in the respective aperture 23 (fig. 6), thus disengaging the corresponding aperture 23 and leaving the tubular upright 13, as well as the frame 11 associated therewith, free to rotate around the first axis X. Advantageously, the tubular upright 13 always remains resting on the guide mean 12b during this operation (figs. 5, 6 and 7), in particular while the first clamping element 21 is released from the aperture 23, so that the user does not have to lift the whole weight of the frame 11.

The first pivoting unit PI, therefore, allows the oscillation of the frame 11 around the first axis X so that it can assume a plurality of stable positions more or less close to the heat source.

The rotation around the first axis X therefore allows the frame 11 to be set in a plurality of different angles, with the aim of moving the frame 11 itself, and the food present thereon, away from or closer to the heat source according to the cooking needs of the food, or in a favorable position away from the heat source in order to be able to load or unload the food itself.

For example, as shown in fig. 3, the frame 11 can oscillate around the first axis X, from a first stable position, in which the second axis Y is inclined with respect to the base support 12 by a first angle al, to at least a second stable position, in which the second axis Y is inclined with respect to the base support 12 by a second angle a2 different from the first angle al .

In accordance with possible solutions, the angle of inclination a of the second axis Y with respect to the base support 12 is variable between about 0° and about 180°, preferably between about 0° and about 135° so as to guarantee a wide range of distances of the frame 11 from the heat source.

The second pivoting unit P2 comprises a pivoting seating 17 in which the first end 13a is rotatably inserted around the second axis Y in order to pass from the first facing stable cooking position of the frame 11 with respect to the heat source, to a second facing stable cooking position rotated by 180° with respect to the first facing stable cooking position.

Furthermore, the pivoting seating 17 is provided in the pivoting fork 15.

The second pivoting unit P2 allows the rotation of the frame 11 so that the foods positioned thereon is exposed to cooking on both sides.

The second pivoting unit P2 therefore allows the rotation of the frame 11 from the first facing stable cooking position as above, in which the lying plane L of the frame 11 contains the first axis X, to the second facing stable cooking position, symmetrical with respect to the previous one following a rotation by 180° with respect to the second axis Y of the frame 11, see for example fig. 4.

In accordance with some embodiments, the pivoting fork 15 comprises an end- of-travel portion 51 disposed in a rear position and configured to abut against an abutment plane or support, so as to delimit the backward angular excursion of the pivoting fork 15 and therefore of the tubular upright 13 and of the associated frame 11. In this way, it is possible to define a stable position of the frame 11, far from the heat source, which facilitates operations.

In accordance with some embodiments, described using fig. 8, and combinable with all the embodiments described here, the pivoting fork 15 comprises two parallel lateral walls 43 disposed on opposite sides with respect to the pivoting portion 12c and with respect to the tubular upright 13, and connected with each other, and with the pivoting portion 12c, by a pin 16. Between the lateral walls 43 and in correspondence with the second axis Y there is provided the pivoting seating 17 delimited laterally by the lateral walls 43 and in a parallel direction thereto by two flanks 44 opposite each other connected to the lateral walls 43. In accordance with some embodiments, each lateral wall 43 has a trapezoidal shape and is provided with an inclined edge 15a, shaped so as to rest on a support plane Z in a condition of rotation with respect to the first axis X. According to some embodiments, the end-of-travel portion 51 can be defined by the lateral walls 43, in particular by providing that the inclined edge 15a goes to abut, defining a limit to the backward angular rotation.

In accordance with the solution shown in fig. 10, the pivoting fork 15 can have a tubular shape and can be provided with a first terminal portion 15b, with respect to which it is pivoted to the pivoting portion 12c with the pin 16, and with a second terminal portion 15c opposite the first terminal portion 15b, open, and configured to receive the tubular upright 13. In this embodiment, the first terminal portion 15b is grooved in the direction of the second axis Y in order to receive the pivoting portion 12c, and the second terminal portion 15c acts as a pivoting seating 17. In particular, the two terminal portions 15b and 15c with which the pivoting fork 15 is provided are situated in the lower end of the latter, and house the pivoting portion 12c of the base support 12, being constrained to each other by means of the pin 16, which allows the rotation around the first horizontal axis X.

The pivoting seating 17 is open at the lower part and at least during the rotation of the tubular upright 13 around the second axis Y, the tubular upright 13 is always resting on the guide mean 12b of the base support 12 which supports the overall weight of the frame 11 at least during its rotation around the second axis Y. The guide mean 12b can for example be a crown or arch, such as a crown or arch with a flat shape and provided with holes (figs. 1-3, 5-9), or a toothed crown (fig. 10). The pivoting fork 15, provided terminally on the tubular upright 13, is associated with, and able to be positioned in an orbital manner with respect to, the guide mean 12b in order to adjust and define the desired angular position of the frame 1 1 around the first axis X.

In some embodiments, the clamp/release mechanism 14 comprises a second clamping element 22, selectively mobile, in particular along the second axis Y.

In particular, the second clamping element 22 is configured to pass from a clamped condition, in which it clamps the second pivoting unit P2, to a released condition, in which it allows the rotation of the frame 11 with respect to the second axis Y.

For this purpose, in some embodiments, the second clamping element 22 is configured to engage, selectively and on each occasion, one or more recesses 26, or grooves, provided on said pivoting fork 15 (figs. 6, 7, 8 and 10). When the second clamping element 22 is housed in said one or more recesses 26, or grooves, the rotation around the second axis Y of the tubular upright 13, and therefore of the frame 11, is prevented. This cooperation between the second clamping element 22 and said one or more recesses 26, or grooves, defines a desired constraint on the rotation around the second axis Y, a constraint that can be released by lifting the second clamping element 22 so that it exits from said one or more recesses 26, or grooves. In this condition, it is possible to rotate the tubular upright 13 and therefore the frame 1 1 around the second axis Y (figs. 6 and 7). Advantageously, the tubular upright 13, and in particular its first end 13a, is on the other hand always resting on the guide mean 12b, even when it is rotated around the second axis Y (figs. 5, 6 and 7).

The second clamping element 22 is mobile in relation to the tubular upright

13, consequently, when it is moved along the second axis Y, the tubular upright 13 remains stationary, resting on the guide mean 12b.

In this way, the user does not exert any effort to adjust the position of the frame 11 around the second axis Y, for example rotating it by 180° on each occasion, since all the weight of the tubular upright 13 and therefore of the frame 11 with the possible food present thereon is unloaded onto the guide mean 12b, and for the user it is sufficient to activate/deactivate the clamp/release mechanism

14, lifting the second clamping element 22, disengaging it from the one or more recesses 26 (figs. 5 and 6) and thus being able to rotate the frame 11 and the corresponding tubular upright 13/pivoting fork 15 assembly around the second axis Y (figs. 6 and 7); after this, the second clamping element 12 is once again inserted in the one or more recesses 26, preventing the rotation around the second axis Y.

In particular, according to some embodiments, at least during the rotation around the second axis Y, the tubular upright 13 is always resting on a portion of the guide mean 12b. This portion defines, during the rotation, a support 18 on which the tubular upright 13 rests with respect to its first end 13 a. The support 18, which cooperates with the pivoting seating 17 as described above, is therefore instantaneously coincident with a portion of the guide mean 12b. In this way, the weight of the frame 11 and of the food positioned thereon is supported by the base support 12, and the rotation of the tubular upright 13 and of the frame 11 integral therewith is rather easy.

In embodiments described using fig. 10, the end-of-travel portion 51 of the pivoting fork 15 can be defined by a shaped component, for example C-shaped, defined by two arms 51a which project transversely from the pivoting fork 15 and are reciprocally connected by a transverse arm 51b. In this case, the end-of- travel portion 51 is able to intervene in order to limit the backward rotation, as indicated above, for example abutting by means of a respective vertex 51c. The transverse arm 51b can be at least partly hollow and provided with one or more through seatings 36 for inserting a protective screen 34, as better explained below.

In the embodiments described here using the attached drawings, the base support 12 comprises the curved guide mean 12b, for example shaped as a crown or arch, which acts as an angular sliding and adjustment lane for the rotation of the frame 11 around the first axis X. Furthermore, the weight of the frame 11 and of the food positioned thereon are unloaded onto the guide mean 12b.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in fig. 8 and fig. 10, the guide mean 12b has an arched profile, convex with respect to the attachment plate 12a and disposed orthogonally with respect thereto. In the embodiment of fig. 8, the guide mean 12b is a toothed crown or sheet stably attached to the base support 12 and disposed with its width L so as to support the tubular upright 13 externally with respect to a radial direction of the arched profile. The sheet 12b is disposed between the pivoting bracket 12c and the walls 43 of the pivoting fork 15, and is disposed at the bottom part of the pivoting seating 17 so as to instantaneously act as a support for the tubular upright 13. In the embodiment of fig. 10, the guide mean 12b is a toothed crown, or curved plate, passing through a slit 45 of the pivoting fork 15. In this case, the curved plate is shaped so as to comprise, in one piece, the pivoting portion 12c.

The pivoting fork 15 can be conformed in order to be passed through by the guide mean 12b, for example providing the seating, or slit, 45 with an outline in the shape of a sliding block, which acts as a seating for the guide mean 12b, the seating or slit 45 being positioned perpendicular to the planes associated with the axes X and Y passing laterally to the guide mean 12b, in order to limit the oscillation of the pivoting fork 15 in unwanted directions.

In accordance with some embodiments, the clamp/release mechanism 14 for activating at least the second pivoting unit P2 can be driven manually in correspondence with a drive zone 19a bordering the second end 13b, opposite the first end 13 a, of the tubular upright 13.

In the embodiments described here, the clamp/release mechanism 14 is suitable to also activate the first pivoting unit PI .

The clamp/release mechanism 14 is positioned inside the tubular upright 13 and comprises a rod 20. The rod 20 has, in a distal position, the first clamping element 21.

In some embodiments, the rod 20 is also provided with the second clamping element 22.

In the embodiments described here, the clamp/release mechanism 14 is suitable to also activate the first pivoting unit PI, and therefore also comprises the first clamping element 21. Therefore, the first clamping element 21 and the second clamping element 22 are moved by driving the rod 20. Since the rod 20 is positioned mobile along the second axis Y inside the tubular upright 13, it is possible to translate, along the second axis Y, the first clamping element 21 and the second clamping element 22, keeping the tubular upright 13 stationary, which remains resting on the guide mean 12b of the base support 12. This allows, as indicated above, to adjust the angular position of the frame 11, both with respect to the first axis X, and also with respect to the second axis Y, without the need to lift the entire weight of the frame 11, since the tubular upright 13 always remains resting on the guide mean 12b, but by only moving the rod 20 and therefore the first clamping element 21 and the second clamping element 22.

The first clamping element 21 is located in a distal portion of the rod 20 which is inserted inside the tubular upright 13 so that this distal portion is positioned in correspondence with the first end 13a of the tubular upright 13. In particular, the first clamping element 21 protrudes from an aperture in the first end 13a of the tubular upright 13 and exits from this aperture in order to couple by interference with the base support 12, and in particular with the sheet 12b.

The guide mean 12b is provided with the apertures 23, for example equidistant from each other along the arched profile and intended to receive the first clamping element 21 which, when inserted in an aperture 23, allows the tubular upright 13 to assume a stable position not subject to oscillation with respect to the first axis X. For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the apertures 23 are through holes made in the sheet, while in the embodiment of fig. 10 these apertures 23 are shaped hollows to house the first clamping element 21.

In order to prevent the first clamping element 21 from exiting excessively from the first end 13a inside an aperture 23, the rod 20 is provided with an end- of-travel plate 24 which defines the length, in the direction of the second axis Y, of the first clamping element 21 and limits by interference the movement of the rod 20 in the same direction.

In accordance with some solutions, shown in figs. 5-7, the first clamping element 21 can be made by separating the distal portion of the rod 20 with the end-of- travel plate 24.

The first clamping element 21, in the clamped condition, that is, when inserted in an aperture 23, prevents the tubular upright 13 and therefore of the frame 11 from oscillating with respect to the first axis X and constrains it in a stable position, for example in the first stable position.

When the first clamping element 21 is in the released condition, the vertical upright 13 and therefore the frame 11 can oscillate by means of the first pivoting unit PI around the first axis X in order to reach, for example, the second stable position.

The number of stable positions of the tubular upright 13 and therefore of the frame 11 in relation to the oscillation with respect to the first axis X, and therefore the angle of inclination a of the second axis Y with respect to the base support 12, depends on the number of apertures 23 present on the sheet 12b.

In accordance with the solution shown in figs. 5-7, the number of stable positions is for example ten.

In the case, for example, of the embodiments of figs. 1-9, as anticipated above, the end-of-travel portion 51 is provided able to define another stable position, which can be guaranteed by the conformation of the pivoting fork 15, wherein the edge 15a of the pivoting fork 15 is suitably shaped in order to rest on a support plane Z. In this case, the angle of inclination a of the axis Y with respect to the base support 12 is about 135°. This stable position facilitates the steps of loading/unloading the food on/from the frame 11 since, in this case, the frame 11 is in the position furthest away from the heat source.

The second clamping element 22 is positioned on the rod 20 upstream with respect to the first clamping element 21, and is configured to constrain the tubular upright 13 with respect to the pivoting seating 17 blocking its rotation with respect to the second axis Y and constraining the frame 11 to the first facing cooking position or the second facing cooking position.

The second clamping element 22 extends in an orthogonal direction with respect to the rod 20, see fig. 7, and protrudes from the tubular upright 13 in correspondence with a passage gap 25, see fig. 8 and fig. 10, made in the tubular upright 13 in a direction parallel to the second axis Y. The second clamping element 22, in the clamped condition, is configured to be inserted into one of at least two of the recesses, or grooves, 26 present in correspondence with the edges 17a of the pivoting seating 17.

The recesses 26 are made so as to maintain the second clamping element 22, when inserted in at least one of them, parallel to the first axis X. With this configuration, the frame 11 is in the first facing position or in the second facing position.

The recesses 26 with which the pivoting fork 15 is provided form a safety mechanism with respect to the rotation around the second axis Y, and are conformed in order to convey the second clamping element 22 through the recess 26 itself. These are located on the highest end of the pivoting fork 15, in order to allow the sliding of the second clamping element 22 that is part of the rod 20, passing inside the tubular upright 13 and consequently inside the pivoting fork 15.

The recesses 26, allowing the sliding, the insertion and the release of the second clamping element 22, if the clamp/release mechanism 14 is driven by the user by means of the specific drive mean 19, allow to rotate the cooking support frame 11 by 180° around the second vertical axis Y without the user applying any lifting action, in a comfortable, safe and effortless manner, since, as mentioned, the weight of the tubular upright 13 and of the associated frame 1 1 always bears down on the guide mean 12b.

In accordance with embodiments described using fig. 10, the pivoting seating 17 comprises a safety mechanism 46 which constrains the tubular upright 13 to translate along the second axis Y when the second clamping element 22 is in the released condition, and allow a lifting thereof when the frame 11 is in an orthogonal position to the stable cooking positions as above. For this purpose, the safety mechanism 46 comprises two arms 46a separated from each other and defining, with the edge 17a, a guide channel for the passage of the second clamping element 22 when it is necessary to uncouple the frame 1 1 from the base support 12, for example, for the positioning operations of the food before cooking, or for removing the food after cooking, as well as for switching between one stable cooking position and the other. The pivoting seating 17, as shown in fig. 10, allows the rotation of the tubular upright 13 and of the frame 11 associated therewith both with respect to the first axis X, and also with respect to the second axis Y preventing the frame 11 from being inadvertently becoming detached from the base support 12 during the rotation operations.

In some embodiments, which can be combined with all the embodiments described here, the rod 20 comprises, in a position substantially opposite that of the second clamping element 22, the drive mean 19 that can be gripped to be lifted in the direction of the second axis Y, in order for a user of the device 10 to drive the clamp/release mechanism 14. The drive mean 19 can for example be a drive lever.

The drive mean 19 is housed inside a handle 27, attached to the second end 13b of the tubular upright 13 so as to allow the relative sliding of the rod 20 with respect to the latter.

The drive mean 19 is configured to be lifted causing a translation of the rod 20 in the direction of the second axis Y, and the passage of at least the second clamping element 22 from the clamped condition to the released condition.

In particular, in the released condition, the first clamping element 21 is released from any of the holes 23 whatsoever, allowing the oscillation of the frame 1 1 with respect to the first axis X, and the second clamping element 22 is released from the recess 26 in which it is inserted allowing the rotation of the frame 11 with respect to the second axis Y.

In some solutions, shown for example in figs. 5-7 and also applicable to the embodiments described using figs. 1-4, 8-12, the clamp/release mechanism 14 comprises a spring 28 inserted in the rod 20 in an intermediate position between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

The spring 28 is positioned in a preloaded condition between the handle 27 and a plate 29 so that, when the drive mean 19 is lifted and subsequently released, the rod 20, due to the elastic effect of the spring 28, slides in the direction of the second axis Y and takes the first clamping element 21 and the second clamping element 22 from the released condition to the clamped condition.

Furthermore, the preloaded condition of the spring 28 allows to deactivate the first pivoting unit P 1 and the second pivoting unit P2 even in the event the user of the device 10 suddenly releases the grip on the handle 27, thus making the clamp/release mechanism 14 very secure. In this case, the frame 11 stabilizes in the stable position closest to the first axis X and in the facing cooking position closest to the first facing cooking position or to the second facing cooking position.

In possible solutions, not shown, there can be provided several release mechanisms which act in a decoupled manner on the first pivoting unit PI or on the second pivoting unit P2, so as to obtain a greater control with respect to the desired orientation of the frame 11 , respectively with respect to the first axis X and the second axis Y.

According to some embodiments, which can be combined with all the embodiments described here using the attached drawings, once the drive mean 19 has been driven upward, it is possible to both rotate the frame 11 around the second axis Y, and also rotate the frame 11 around the first axis X.

In the first case, the frame 11 is swung in order to obtain an angular adjustment of the frame 1 1 around the second axis Y so as to change the cooking side of the food. The second clamping element 21 of the clamp/release mechanism 14 is retracted and is released from the one or more recesses 26 in which it is inserted. By doing this, the tubular upright 13 is free to rotate on itself around the second axis Y, while always remaining resting on said guide mean 12b: the entire weight of the tubular upright 13 and of the frame 11 associated therewith, and also of the food present on the frame 1 1, is therefore unloaded onto the guide mean 12b and the user can, without effort and in complete safety, move and adjust the position of the frame 1 1 around the second axis Y. Once the angular position of the frame 1 1 with respect to the second axis Y has been selected, the second clamping element 22 automatically returns to position, thanks to the action of the spring 28, once again engaging the one or more recesses 26.

In the second case, on the other hand, the frame 11 is raised or lowered in order to obtain an angular adjustment of the frame 1 1 around the first axis X so as to move the food closer to or away from the heat source. Here, the first clamping element 21 of the clamp/release mechanism 14 is retracted and is released from the specific aperture 23 in which it is inserted. By doing so, the tubular upright 13 is free to slide along the guide mean 12b, while always remaining resting on the guide mean 12b. Once the suitable desired angular position has been selected, the first clamping element 21, automatically, thanks to the action of the spring 28, returns into position, engaging the respective aperture 23 associated with the desired angular position.

In accordance with possible solutions, shown in figs. 1-2 and fig. 9, the frame 11 comprises supports 30 stably attached, at different heights, to the tubular upright 13 by tightening means 31. Although in the solutions shown the tightening means 31 are represented as tightening wing nuts, it is understood that, in accordance with possible solutions, the tightening means 31 can consist of any system whatsoever, simple or complex, for attaching the supports 30 to the tubular upright 13.

In accordance with the embodiment shown for example in figs. 1-2, the supports 30 comprise a coupling surface 32 which allows the insertion and possibly the support of a plurality of food supports 33, suitable to hold the food to be cooked and disposed vertically in a direction parallel to the second axis Y.

Although in the solution shown the food supports are represented as skewers 33, they can have different conformations depending on the food they have to support during cooking. For example, they can have a net conformation for cooking fish, or they can consist of aligned ring-shaped sheets, inside which it is possible to insert long-shaped food, such as for example sausages.

For example, as shown in figs. 1-2 and fig. 9, the skewers 33 are suitable to receive the food to be cooked which is skewered and then stacked in the direction of the length of the skewer 33.

In operative terms, the loading of the food onto the skewers 33 occurs when the skewers 33 are not coupled to the supports 30, thus facilitating this step.

According to a possible embodiment, the device 10 can comprise a protective screen 34 inserted in the pivoting fork 15 and selectively removable therefrom, and suitable to concentrate the heat coming from the heat source on the frame 11. For example, in some embodiments the protective screen 34 can be inserted on the end-of-travel portion 51 of the pivoting fork 15. To this end, the end-of-travel portion 51 can be provided with one or more seatings 36 for the insertion and stable positioning of a shank 35 of the protective screen 34.

In particular, the protective screen 34 is positioned in such a way that the frame 11 is always placed between the heat source and the protective screen 34. With this configuration, the protective screen 34 also allows to prevent heat dispersions due to atmospheric agents, such as for example wind, which would cause undue cooling of the food and therefore slower or uneven cooking.

The protective screen 34 is configured to be inserted with the respective shank 35 in a coupling seating 36 (figs. 1-3, 5-9) or one or more coupling seatings 36 (fig. 10) of the end-of-travel portion 51 of the pivoting fork 15, which is in a position opposite and distanced from the pivoting seating 17 so as to produce a hollow space between the protective screen 34 and the frame 11, in which the heat exchange is more effective. The one or more seatings 36 are conformed in order to define a stable and secure coupling with the shank 35 of the protective screen 34.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in fig. 9 and in figs. 11-12, the protective screen 34 can comprise lateral flaps 34a, slightly curved (fig. 9) with respect to the prevailing development thereof, or lateral flaps 34a orthogonal (figs. 11-12) with respect to the prevailing development thereof, so as to at least partly enclose the frame 11 in a lateral direction in order to increase its degree of protection and heat exchange efficiency.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in figs. 11-12, the protective screen 34 comprises a front flap 34b connected to the lateral flaps 34a and configured to prevent both the dispersion of heat also in the vertical direction, that is, parallel to the second axis Y, and also to prevent an excessive heating of the handle 27. For this purpose, the protective screen 34 comprises a pair of protection sheets 47 sliding concealed under the front flap 34b between a first position (fig. 11) in which they are positioned completely below the front flap 34b and do not protect the handle 27, and a second position (fig. 12) in which they are at least partly outside the front flap 34b and protect the handle 27. The sliding of the protection sheets 47 occurs by means of a guide device 48, which in this specific case comprises a pair of guides 48a, made on the same protection sheets 47 or on the front flap 34b, to which is associated a pin 48b fixed to the front flap 34b. In order to clamp the protection sheets 47 in the first position and in the second position, there are provided respectively reversible holding elements 49, 50 attached respectively to the protective screen 34 and to the protection sheets 47. For example, the reversible holding elements 49, 50 can be magnets to keep the protection sheets 47 in the desired position.

In the event that the user wishes to rotate the tubular upright 13 from a first facing condition to a second facing condition, or vice versa, it is necessary to remove the protective screen 34 from the pivoting fork 15, removing it in a direction parallel to the second axis Y, since during rotation the frame 11 would be interfering with the protective screen 34.

In accordance with the embodiments shown in figs. 1-2, the device 10 can be associated with the support plane Z by means of metal pegs, not shown. In this case, the device 10 is easy to assemble and disassemble, thus facilitating assembly and sanitation operations, as well as reducing the containing space, for example for possible transportation, in the event it is not always used in the same place.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and fig. 9, the device 10 can be attached onto a brazier 37 inside which the heat source is produced and powered.

The brazier 37 can have a substantially box-like shape and has a ledge 38 facing the heat source, on which the device is attached, for example by means of bolts, not shown. The brazier 37 is open at least in the direction of the device 10, so as to allow the heat produced inside it to propagate toward the frame 11 on which the food to be cooked is positioned.

A grate 39 is positioned inside the brazier 37 which supports the heat source and allows its sustenance by means of the air that can pass through it.

The grate 39 can be located in a raised position with respect to a bottom surface 40 of the brazier 37, having a flared shape suitable to allow a first collection and a first conveying of the cooking liquids that come out of the food positioned on the frame 11.

The bottom surface 40, as can be seen in fig. 3, is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane so that, due to gravity, it facilitates the transit of the cooking liquids into a collection tray 41 attached to the brazier 37 and removable for emptying and sanitation operations.

The brazier 37 can be equipped with support means 42 which allow to keep it raised from the ground, making the use of the device 10 more ergonomic and more hygienic.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the support means 42 can be selected from a group comprising casters and support feet, or a combination thereof. The use of casters allows a simple and faster movement, while the use of support feet makes the brazier 37 and the device 10 more stable to shocks or unwanted imbalances, particularly if the food on the frame 11 reaches a significant weight.

In accordance with possible embodiments, the device 10 can be made of metal material, for example steel suitable for contact with food and easily sanitized.

In possible embodiments, therefore, the device 10 described here provides a support frame 1 1 for cooking food, the angular position of which is adjustable by rotation and can be defined by means of a clamp/release mechanism 14 driven by a drive mean 19, for example a lever, provided on a handle. Optionally, there can be provided a protective screen 34, for containing heat, constrained to the support frame 11 for cooking food.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the cooking device as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of cooking device, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.