Charcoal Igniting Device

Abstract

A charcoal igniting device comprises a main body having an outer side surface formed with a through hole and attached with a handle formed with a retaining portion. A supporting plate installed in the main body comprises a first and a second plate pivotally connected by at least one hinge. The first plate is a fixed supporting plate fixedly attached to the main body while the second plate is a pivotally movable supporting plate combined at an end thereof away from the hinge with a pulling element, which has an end passing through the through hole and attached with a holding block. The pulling element is pulled and then retained by the retaining portion to lift the movable supporting plate and thus form a platform for supporting charcoal. When the pulling element is released from the retaining portion, the movable supporting plate pivots downwards to discharge the charcoal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a charcoal igniting device that is safe to use and can conveniently feed ignited charcoal to an apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a charcoal igniting device that is especially suitable for use with an apparatus that uses charcoal as a fuel, such as a barbecue, a stove or other apparatuses having similar structures thereto.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Nowadays, a barbecue party has become a common social activity among family members and friends for recreational purposes or special occasions. However, preparation for a barbecue is usually much more difficult than the barbecue itself. Especially for charcoal ignition, people often spend a lot of time and still fail; let alone lighting a fire directly in a barbecue. To solve this problem, charcoal igniters were developed and are now commercially available. A conventional charcoal igniter essentially comprises a housing mounted therein with a grate fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]In view of the fact that it is dangerous to pour ignited charcoal from a conventional charcoal igniter installed with a fixed grate, and costly to buy an improved charcoal igniter having a movable grate due to its complicated structure, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charcoal igniting device that has simple components and is safe and convenient to use.

[0006]In the charcoal igniting device described above, the retaining portion can be provided on the handle or the heat shield. In addition, the pulling element can be a chain while the retaining portion can be a hook engageable with any one of links of the chain. The pulling element can be pulled to lift the movable supporting plate to a nearly horizontal position, and then retained by the retaining portion, thereby forming a platform for supporting charcoal. On disengaging the pulling element (such as a chain) from the retaining portion (such as a hook), the movable supporting plate will pivot downwards automatically because of a weight of the charcoal and release of a pulling force of the pulling element, so that the charcoal falls into a barbecue. Therefore, according to the present invention, a simple assembly of the movable supporting plate, the pulling element and the retaining portion makes it possible for the charcoal to be ignited and discharged into the barbecue more easily, safely and effortlessly than the conventional charcoal igniter allows.

Problems solved by technology

However, preparation for a barbecue is usually much more difficult than the barbecue itself.

Especially for charcoal ignition, people often spend a lot of time and still fail; let alone lighting a fire directly in a barbecue.

This action is not only extremely dangerous to a user, but also a challenge to the user's arm strength.

While the charcoal igniter according to the '807 patent improves the conventional charcoal igniter by reducing the risks associated with pouring hot charcoal therefrom, this patented charcoal igniter has a complicated structure that comes with a high price.

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