Skewer system

Abstract

A skewer system is provided for supporting foods, and includes a hub with a plurality of receivers. Skewers are removably fitted into the receivers in the hub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A skewer system, comprising:
 a hub having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of receivers in the hub, each receiver having an opening at the top surface of the hub, each receiver further having a cavity extending into the hub from the opening, and a slot extending from the opening in the top surface of the hub; and,   a plurality of skewers for pivotally and removably engaging the plurality of receivers in the hub, respectively, each of the skewers having an elongated body having a first end and a second end, a piercing member at the first end of the elongated body, an engaging member at the second end of the elongated body, the engaging member being shaped to extend through the opening and fit into the cavity of the receiver in the hub, the engaging member further having a shoulder adapted to engage an interior surface of the cavity when the skewer is docked in the receiver, wherein the elongated body of the skewer extends through the slot in the opening when the skewer is docked in the receiver.   
     
     
         2 . The skewer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central bore extending into the hub from the bottom surface of the hub, and a support member having a first end to mate with the central bore to connect the support member to the hub. 
     
     
         3 . The skewer system of  claim 2 , wherein the central bore has an annular rib extending from an interior surface therein, wherein the support member has an annular groove at the first end, and wherein the annular groove mates with the annular rib to removably secure the support member to the hub. 
     
     
         4 . The skewer system of  claim 2 , further comprising a base member having a receiver to engage a second end of the support member, the base member supporting the support member, the hub and the plurality of skewers. 
     
     
         5 . The skewer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central bore extending into the hub from the top surface of the hub. 
     
     
         6 . The skewer system of  claim 5 , further comprising an auxiliary member, the auxiliary member having a mating member to mate with the central bore of the hub, the auxiliary member extending axially away from the hub. 
     
     
         7 . The skewer system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second central bore in the hub extending from the top surface of the hub. 
     
     
         8 . The skewer system of  claim 7 , wherein the second central bore at the top surface of the hub is coaxial with the central bore at the bottom surface of the hub. 
     
     
         9 . The skewer system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of skewers, when seated in the receivers, respectively, extend from the hub at an angle of approximately 45°. 
     
     
         10 . The skewer system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receivers are radially spaced about the hub. 
     
     
         11 . The skewer system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receivers have a sloped inner wall at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the hub, and wherein the each of the plurality of skewers engages a portion of the respective sloped inner wall when inserted into one of the plurality of receivers. 
     
     
         12 . A skewer system, comprising:
 a hub having a top surface and a bottom surface, a central bore extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, a plurality of receivers in the hub, the plurality of receivers radially spaced about the central bore, each receiver having an opening at the top surface of the hub, each receiver further having a cavity extending into the hub from the opening and a sloped inner wall at a radial extent of the cavity; and,   a plurality of skewers for removably engaging the plurality receivers in the hub, respectively, each of the skewers having an elongated body having a first end and a second end, a piercing member at the first end of the elongated body, an enlarged member at the second end of the elongated body, the enlarged member being shaped to extend through the opening of the receiver in the hub and to rest adjacent the sloped inner wall of the cavity so that the skewer rests at an angle to the central bore when in the receiver, the enlarged member further having a shoulder adapted to engage an interior surface of the cavity for removably securing the skewer in the receiver in a snap-fit manner.   
     
     
         13 . The skewer system of  claim 12 , further comprising a slot extending from the opening in the top surface of the hub, and wherein the elongated body of the skewer extends through the slot in the opening when the skewer is pivotally snapped into the receiver at an angular orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The skewer system of  claim 12 , further comprising a support member and a base member, a first end of the support member being removably connectable to the central bore of the hub and a second end of the support member being removably connectable to base member to support the skewer system in a vertical orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The skewer system of  claim 14 , wherein the base has a plurality of depressions for retaining food items. 
     
     
         16 . The skewer system of  claim 14 , wherein the central bore has one of a rib and a groove on an inner surface thereof, and wherein the first end of the support has the other of a rib and a groove on an exterior surface thereof to removably connect the support to the hub in a snap fit configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A skewer system, comprising:
 a hub having a top surface and a bottom surface, a central bore extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, a plurality of receivers in the hub, the plurality of receivers radially spaced about the central bore, each receiver having an opening at the top surface of the hub, each receiver further having a cavity extending into the hub from the opening and a sloped inner wall at a radial extent of the cavity, each receiver further having a slot extending from the opening in the top surface of the hub; and,   a plurality of skewers for removably engaging the plurality receivers in the hub, respectively, each of the skewers having an elongated body having a first end and a second end, a piercing member at the first end of the elongated body, an enlarged member at the second end of the elongated body, the enlarged member being shaped to extend through the opening in the cavity of the receiver in the hub and to rest adjacent the sloped inner wall of the cavity so that the skewer rests at an angle to the central bore when in the receiver, the enlarged member further having a shoulder adapted to engage an interior surface of the cavity for removably securing the skewer in the receiver in a snap-fit manner, and wherein the elongated body of the skewer extends through the slot in the opening when the skewer is pivotally snapped into the receiver at an angular orientation.   
     
     
         18 . The skewer system of  claim 17 , further comprising a support member and a base member, a first end of the support member being removably connectable to the central bore of the hub and a second end of the support member being removably connectable to base member to support the skewer system in a vertical orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The skewer system of  claim 18 , further comprising a second support member having a second end removably connectable to the central bore adjacent the top surface of the hub, and a first end removably connectable to a second hub, the second hub having a plurality of receivers for supporting a plurality of skewers, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The skewer system of  claim 17 , further comprising an auxiliary member connected to the central bore of the hub at the top surface thereof.