Two tier elevated baking rack

Abstract

A multiple-tier baking oven rack may include a top tier and a bottom tier lying substantially parallel to the top tier and a support base on which the bottom tier is supported. The bottom tier may be elevated with respect to the support base and the top tier may be elevated with respect to the bottom tier. The bottom tier and the top tier may form a space therebetween to facilitate a flow of air across the bottom tier and the top tier between the opposing sidewalls of an oven in which the multiple-tier baking oven rack is usable.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An multiple-tier baking oven rack comprising:
 a top tier; and   a bottom tier lying substantially parallel to the top tier and a metallic support base on which the bottom tier is supported, the bottom tier being elevated with respect to the support base and the top tier being elevated with respect to the bottom tier, the bottom tier and the top tier defining a space therebetween to facilitate a flow of air across the bottom tier and the top tier between the opposing sidewalls of an oven in which the multiple-tier baking oven rack is usable.   
     
     
         2 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom tier and the top tier are each rectangular shaped baking racks of substantially a same size. 
     
     
         3 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom tier and the top tier are separated by a distance substantially equal to a distance between the bottom tier and a baking pan forming the support base. 
     
     
         4 . The oven rack of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom tier comprises feet disposed to extend away from the top tier, and wherein a C-shaped bracket supports the top tier relative to the bottom tier. 
     
     
         5 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the top tier is cantilevered with respect to the bottom tier. 
     
     
         6 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the top tier and the bottom tier are separated from each other via a support structure disposed at each of the respective corners thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein side portions between the top tier and the bottom tier are open to airflow from airflow slots on one sidewall of the oven passing to an opposing sidewall of the oven over substantially an entirety of a space between the top tier and the bottom tier. 
     
     
         8 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the oven employs radio frequency cooking in addition to the provision of airflow. 
     
     
         9 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the top tier and the bottom tier each include a wire mesh grate supported by a frame structure extending around a periphery thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The oven rack of  claim 1 , wherein the top tier and the bottom tier comprise aluminum or stainless steel components. 
     
     
         11 . An oven comprising:
 a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product;   one or more rack supports disposed along opposing sidewalls of the cooking chamber to support a metallic support base inserted therein; and   a multiple-tier elevated baking rack providing at least a bottom tier and a top tier lying substantially parallel to each other and to the support base, the bottom tier being elevated with respect to the support base and the top tier being elevated with respect to the bottom tier, the bottom tier and the top tier defining a space therebetween to facilitate a flow of air across the bottom tier and the top tier between the opposing sidewalls of an oven in which the multiple-tier baking oven rack is usable.   
     
     
         12 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom tier and the top tier are each rectangular shaped baking racks of substantially a same size. 
     
     
         13 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom tier and the top tier are separated by a distance substantially equal to a distance between the bottom tier and a baking pan forming the support base. 
     
     
         14 . The oven of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom tier comprises feet disposed to extend away from the top tier, and wherein a C-shaped bracket supports the top tier relative to the bottom tier. 
     
     
         15 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the top tier is cantilevered with respect to the bottom tier. 
     
     
         16 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the multiple-tier elevated baking rack comprises at least a first assembly and a second assembly stacked with respect to each other, the first and second assemblies each comprising an assembly top tier and an assembly bottom tier, each assembly bottom tier comprising legs, the legs of the assembly bottom tier of the first assembly contacting the support base, and the legs of the assembly bottom tier of the second assembly contacting the assembly top tier of the first assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the oven comprises airflow slots disposed proximate to the rack supports, and wherein side portions between the top tier and the bottom tier are open to airflow from airflow slots on one sidewall of the oven passing to the other sidewall of the oven over substantially an entirety of a space between the top tier and the bottom tier. 
     
     
         18 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the oven employs radio frequency cooking in addition to the provision of airflow. 
     
     
         19 . The oven of  claim 11 , wherein the top tier and the bottom tier each include a wire mesh grate supported by a frame structure extending around a periphery thereof.