Outdoor cooking apparatus with rotating grate

Abstract

An outdoor grill apparatus includes a grate that is vertically adjustable and also rotatably supported over an open fire. The support system of the apparatus includes a spade for stably engaging the ground, one or more interconnected poles extending from the spade for height, and a laterally extending cantilevered pole adapted to extend over a fire pit. A cable extends through the laterally extending pole to a handle on the vertical pole. The other end of the cable extends down over the fire pit, and supports a battery operated motor, which in turn supports a grate hung on chains. The handle adjustably engages the pole, such that the grate is adjustable. The grill apparatus can be broken apart for compact storage, such as in a three-inch deep carry case.

1 . An outdoor cooking apparatus comprising:
 a support frame including a horizontal section adapted for positioning over a fire pit;   a motor including an upper end attached to the horizontal section, and a lower end; and   a grate attached to the lower end, the motor being operable to rotate the grate.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , wherein the motor is electrical. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , including a battery operably connected to the motor to power the motor. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 3 , wherein the battery is shielded in a same container as the motor. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , including a cable extending between the motor and the grate. 
   
   
       6 . An outdoor cooking apparatus comprising:
 a support frame configured to stably engage an area of ground;   a bracket for hanging from the support frame over a fire pit;   a grate;   a grate support for hanging the grate below the support frame; and   a carry case including pockets for receiving each of the support frame, the bracket, the grate, and the grate support for dense and compact storage when not in use.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6 , including a motor with a casing incorporating the bracket. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus defined in  claim 7 , wherein the bracket includes hooks that attach the motor to a horizontal section of the support frame. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6 , wherein the support frame includes a pointed spade for stably engaging soil and includes a rod connected to the spade for receiving sharp blows from a hammering object to drive the spade into the soil. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6 , wherein the support frame includes telescopingly-releaseably-connected vertical tubes. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus defined in  claim 10 , wherein the support frame includes a laterally extending tube releaseably connected to the vertical tubes. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6 , wherein the grate support includes a plurality of chains. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus defined in  claim 6 , wherein the carry case includes opposing mating halves with mating, integrally-formed latch components thereon.