Latches for movable grills

Abstract

A grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly coupled to the base structure, and a second platen assembly coupled to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further includes a retaining ring that is movable to accommodate and cooperate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application number 201880065560.1, filed on October 4, 2018, entitled “LATCH FOR A MOVABLE GRILL,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 569,906, filed on October 9, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to a grill and more particularly to a grill having a movable lower grilling plate with a latch for securing an upper plate and a movable grease container.

[0005] Grills or griddles are used to cook various foods, such as hamburgers. In some conventional grills, the sides of the food are sequentially grilled. The food is placed on the grilling surface, thereby grilling one side of the food that contacts the grilling surface. After that side of the food is cooked, the food is manually flipped to cook the other side. After both sides of the food are cooked, the food is manually removed from the grill for consumption.

[0006] Other conventional grills, such as clamshell grills, are capable of simultaneously cooking both sides of various foods, such as hamburger patties, sausage patties, chicken, or other foods. In particular, clamshell grills are often used in commercial settings, such as fast food restaurants, because they reduce the overall cooking time and the operator attention required for cooking.

[0007] Conventional clamshell grills typically include an upper platen assembly movably connected to a lower platen assembly. For example, the upper platen assembly can be pivotally coupled to the lower platen assembly to move between a lowered cooking position that covers the lower platen assembly and a raised position that is tilted upward from the lower platen assembly. When the upper platen assembly is in the lowered cooking position, a gap is formed between the upper and lower platen assemblies. The gap is typically adjustable depending on the thickness of the food being cooked. For example, hamburger patties are preformed in a variety of different sizes (i.e., a quarter pound patty is thicker than a regular patty). To cook the food, an operator selects a gap size and a cooking time for the food to be cooked through an operator interface.

[0008] Conventional clamshell grills typically include a latch mechanism for retaining the upper platen assembly in the lowered position to maintain the compressive force applied to the food being cooked. Existing latch mechanisms require the movable and fixed portions of the latch mechanism to be aligned within strict tolerance ranges. However, the platen assemblies are frequently calibrated, and in some cases, the movement of the lower platen assembly during grill operation, causes the corresponding portions of the latch mechanism to become misaligned. SUMMARY

[0009] According to an embodiment, a grill includes a base structure, a first platen assembly coupled to the base structure, and a second platen assembly coupled to the base structure. At least the second platen assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. A latch mechanism is operable to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the second position. The latch mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion further includes a retaining ring that is movable to accommodate and mate with the first portion when the first portion and the second portion of the latch mechanism are misaligned.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments when the first portion and the second portion are misaligned, contact between the first portion and the retaining ring causes the retaining ring to move into alignment with the first portion.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments when the first portion and the second portion are aligned, the retaining ring does not move within the second portion.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the second platen assembly further includes an arm, and the second portion of the latch mechanism is coupled to the arm.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the second portion further includes a cap coupled to a free end of the arm, wherein the retaining ring is in direct contact with the free end of the arm and a surface of the cap.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments each of the retaining ring and the cap has an opening formed therein for accommodating the first portion of the latch mechanism.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the retaining ring is movable within a plane relative to the cap and the free end of the arm.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the plane has a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments an inner diameter of the cap is greater than an outer diameter of the retaining ring, thereby defining a gap therebetween.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the retaining ring is formed of stainless steel.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the material of the retaining ring has been hardened by a material treatment process.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the first portion of the latching mechanism further includes a base having a resilient detent, and the inner surface of the retaining ring is configured to cooperate with the detent to limit movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the retaining ring is symmetric about a central plane extending through the retaining ring.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the first portion of the latching mechanism is integrally formed with the base structure.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the latching mechanism is configured to selectively couple the second platen assembly to the base structure adjacent the grill front.

[0024] According to another embodiment, a grill includes a base structure, a lower platen assembly connected to the base structure and including a lower grilling plate, and an upper platen assembly movably connected to the base structure such that the upper platen assembly is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The upper platen assembly includes an upper grilling plate. A latching mechanism includes a lower portion and an upper portion configured to cooperate with the lower portion to selectively retain the upper platen assembly in the lowered position. The upper portion further includes a retaining ring movable to accommodate and cooperate with the lower portion when the upper portion and the lower portion are misaligned.

[0025] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments contact between the lower portion and the retaining ring when the lower portion and the upper portion are misaligned moves the retaining ring into alignment with the lower portion.

[0026] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the upper platen assembly further includes an arm, and the upper portion of the latching mechanism is coupled to the arm.

[0027] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the retaining ring is movable within a horizontal plane relative to a free end of the arm.

[0028] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in other embodiments the lower portion of the latching mechanism further includes a base having a resilient detent, and the inner surface of the retaining ring is configured to cooperate with the detent to limit movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion.

[0029] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The claims at the conclusion of the specification are expressly intended to be subject to the interpretation that they are to be accorded the full breadth allowed by law. The foregoing and other features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grill in a lowered position according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a grill according to an embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a portion of a latching assembly according to an embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a latching assembly according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Referring now to the drawings, a grill 20 is shown having a rigid base structure 22 that supports a lower platen assembly 24 and an upper platen assembly 26. The upper platen assembly 26 can be fixed relative to the base structure 22, or alternatively, can be movably attached to the base structure 22 by a mounting structure 28 such that the upper platen assembly 26 is configured to move relative to the lower platen assembly 24 between a lowered cooking position and an elevated position above. In one embodiment, the mounting structure 28 is a hinge such that the upper platen assembly 26 is configured to pivot relative to the lower platen assembly 24, however in other embodiments, the upper platen assembly 26 can move vertically in a generally linear motion to lower and raise. The upper platen assembly 26 can be moved between the elevated position and the lowered position automatically or manually. In embodiments where the upper platen assembly 26 is moved manually, the upper platen assembly 26 can include a handle 30 that can be grasped by an operator to move the upper platen assembly 26 between the elevated position and the lowered position. When the operator raises the upper platen assembly 26 to the elevated position, the grilling surface of the lower platen assembly 24 is exposed.

[0036] The lower platen assembly 24 includes a lower grill plate 32 and the upper platen assembly 26 includes an upper grill plate 34. An operator places food to be cooked on the exposed grilling surface 33 of the lower grill plate 32. The operator moves the upper platen assembly 26 to the lowered position, for example via the handle 30, such that the food to be cooked is located within the gap 36 formed between the upper and lower grill plates 32, 34.

[0037] The lower grill plate 32 is configured to provide heat to the underside of one or more foods placed on it, and the upper grill plate 34 is configured to provide heat to the upper side of the food located on the lower grill plate 32. The upper and lower grill plates 32 and 34 are heated by a heater (not shown) to cook the food. To transfer heat to the food being cooked by the grill, the lower and upper grill plates 32 and 34 can be formed of heat-conducting materials, such as cast aluminum, wear-resistant steel, cast iron, stainless steel, low-carbon steel, ceramic materials, or other suitable heat-conducting materials for grills. Although the lower and upper grill plates 32 and 34 are shown as having a rectangular shape, one or both of the grill plates 32 and 34 can also be formed in other shapes, such as circular or elliptical. Figure 1 As shown, multiple individual grills 20 can be arranged adjacent to each other to form a grill assembly. In one embodiment, a portion of each grill 20, such as the base structure 22, is integrally formed.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the lower pressure plate assembly 24 includes a plurality of leveling mechanisms 50 for controlling the tilt, angle, and / or orientation of the lower baking plate 32. Although two leveling mechanisms 50 are shown in the figures, embodiments with three or alternatively any number of leveling mechanisms 50 are within the scope of this disclosure. A portion of each leveling mechanism 50 is connected to the base structure 22, for example, via a mounting bracket (not shown), and a first end 52 of each leveling mechanism 50 is connected to the lower baking plate 32. The first end 52 may be positioned around a peripheral area of ​​the lower baking plate 32. It should be understood that the first end 52 of the leveling mechanism 50 does not need to be positioned at the edge of the lower baking plate 32. Rather, those skilled in the art will understand that the peripheral area surrounds a portion of the lower baking plate 32, which allows proper control of the position of the lower baking plate 32 by extending or retracting the leveling mechanism 50.

[0039] The controller 60 is configured to independently operate each of the plurality of leveling mechanisms 50. As a result, the lower grill deck 32 can be arranged in a non-level configuration. In one embodiment, the leveling mechanisms 50 are linear actuators, such as hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical actuators. One or more sensors (not shown) are configured to monitor each of the plurality of leveling mechanisms 50 and detect when the lower grill deck 32 contacts the upper grill deck 34. In one embodiment, the sensors are Hall effect sensors or encoders configured to monitor the position of the movable portion 54 of the leveling mechanisms 50 and determine when each leveling mechanism 50 reaches a stall position. Alternatively, other types of sensors, such as sensors configured to monitor current, load, or another characteristic of the plurality of leveling mechanisms 50, are also within the scope of the present disclosure. With the leveling mechanisms 50, the position of the lower grill deck 32 and / or the initial gap between the lower and upper grill decks 32, 34 can be adjusted separately to accommodate variations in the thickness of food to be cooked on the grill 20. Further, the plurality of leveling mechanisms 50 can exert a positive pressure on the lower grill deck 32 and thus on the food being cooked on the grill 20 as the food is cooked.

[0040] The grill 20 can be automatically calibrated to ensure that the gap 36 between the lower grill deck 32 and the upper grill deck 34 is maintained at a desired size. Calibration refers to the upper grill deck 34 and the lower grill deck 32 being level with each other to ensure proper cooking of food. In one example, the grill 20 is calibrated each day to correct for any unevenness of the lower grill deck 32 that can have occurred the previous day.

[0041] Referring now to Figure 3 and 4 The grill 20 also includes a latch assembly 70 for selectively retaining the upper platen assembly 26 in the lowered position. The latch assembly 70 includes a lower portion 72 and an upper portion 74 that cooperate with each other. The lower portion 72 includes a first member 76, such as a base, that is attached to a portion of the grill 20 generally adjacent the lower platen assembly 24. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the base 76 of the latch assembly 70 is coupled to the base 22 of the grill 20 between the lower platen assembly 24 and the front of the grill 20. The base 76 protrudes upward from the surface of the grill 20 and includes a pawl 78 positioned adjacent a distal end 80 of the base 76. The pawl 78 is a resilient member that is movable relative to the base 76, such as in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the base 76. As shown, the pawl 78 can be a spring-loaded cantilevered beam that is biased outward. However, any suitable pawl is within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] The upper portion 74 of the latch assembly 70 also includes an arm 82 extending from the upper platen assembly 26. A handle 30 for assisting an operator of the grill 20 in moving the upper platen assembly 26 between the raised and lowered positions can be coupled to or integrally formed with a portion of the arm 82. In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the handle 30 has a generally triangular shape. However, a handle 30 having any shape is within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] The free end 84 of the arm 82 includes a cavity 86 in which the distal end 80 of the base 76 can be received. In one embodiment, a flange 88 extends outwardly from the exterior of the arm 82 at a location offset from the free end 84 of the arm 82. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more teeth or protrusions 90 can extend outwardly from the surface of the arm 82 at a location between the flange 88 and the free end 84.

[0044] A cap 92 can be received over the free end 84 of the arm 82. When coupled to the arm 82, a first end 94 of the cap 92 directly abuts the flange 88, and the one or more teeth 90 engage an interior surface 96 of the cap 90 to limit movement of the cap 92 relative to the arm 82. In other embodiments, the cap 90 is configured to be threadably coupled to the arm 82. However, any suitable means for coupling the cap 92 to the free end 84 of the arm 82 is also contemplated herein. A second end 98 of the cap 92 is configured to be aligned with the free end 84 of the arm 82, and includes an opening 100 disposed in communication with the interior of the cavity 86. The opening 100 formed in the second end 98 of the cap 92 is also sized to receive the distal end 80 of the base 76.

[0045] A retaining ring 104 is positioned within the hollow interior 102 of the cap 92 directly between the second end 98 of the cap 92 and the free end 84 of the arm 82. The retaining ring 104, the cap 92, and the arm 82 can all be formed of any suitable material, including but not limited to a metal, such as stainless steel. In one embodiment, one or more material treatment processes can be applied to the retaining ring 104. For example, the material of the ring 104 can be a material that is hardened by a heat treatment process.

[0046] The retaining ring 104 includes an opening 106 for receiving the distal end 80 of the base 76 and has a contoured inner surface or lip 108 that cooperates with the detent 78 of the base 76. The retaining ring 104 is disposed in contact with both the free end 84 of the arm 82 and the second end 98 of the cover 92. As a result of this engagement, vertical movement of the ring 104 toward the free end 84 of the arm 82 and / or the second end 98 of the cover 92 is limited. However, the outer diameter of the ring 104 is less than the inner diameter of the cover 92. Because of this gap between the retaining ring 104 and the cover 92, the ring 104 is free to translate in a substantially horizontal plane disposed generally parallel to the free end 84 of the arm 82 and the second end 98 of the cover 92. This translation between the retaining ring 104 and the cover 92 allows the base 76 and the detent 78 to be received within the opening 106 of the retaining ring 104 when the upper portion 74 and the lower portion 72 of the latch are not fully aligned.

[0047] To operate the latch mechanism 70, the upper platen assembly 26 is pivoted toward the lowered position, thereby causing the free end 84 of the arm 82 to engage and couple to the base 76 of the latch mechanism 70. In one embodiment, the contoured inner surface 108 includes a ramped surface configured to apply a force to the detent 78 that opposes the biasing force of the detent 78 when the upper platen assembly 26 is lowered and raised relative to the lower platen assembly 24. In one embodiment, the detent 78 can include an internal mechanism M, such as a spring, configured to bias the detent 78 outwardly. In another embodiment, the internal mechanism M can be a contoured plunger that is movable to adjust the magnitude of the biasing force acting on the detent 78.

[0048] Once the upper platen assembly 26 is in the lowered position, the compressive force applied to the detent 78 by the surface 108 of the retaining ring 104 is removed, thereby allowing the detent 78 to bias outwardly. In this configuration, the engagement between the detent 78 and the inner surface 108 of the ring 104 limits the movement of the arm 84 out of engagement with the base 76. In addition, the contoured surface 108 can be symmetric about a central plane of the ring that extends parallel to the free end of the arm and the second end of the cover. In such an embodiment, the latch mechanism will function properly regardless of the orientation of the ring when positioned within the cover. To disengage the portions 72, 74 of the latch mechanism 70, a sufficient force is applied to the upper platen assembly 26. The contoured surface 108 of the retaining ring 104 opposes the biasing force of the detent 78, thereby allowing the upper portion 74 of the latch 70 to move relative to the lower portion 72 of the latch. Once the retaining ring 104 has moved past the detent 78, the biasing force of the detent 78 will bias the detent 78 outwardly to a neutral position.

[0049] Because the retaining ring 104 is able to move in-plane relative to the cover 98, the retaining ring 104 is configured to engage with the base 76 even when the retaining ring 104 and the base 76 are not properly aligned. Thus, as described herein, the inclusion of the latch assembly 70 allows the upper platen assembly to be coupled to the base 22 with a greater degree of misalignment between the upper and lower portions 72, 74. Moreover, the latch assembly 70 can be retrofitted into existing grills 20 to improve the operational efficiency of such grills.

[0050] While the present disclosure has been described in detail with respect to limited number of embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified in light of the foregoing description to incorporate any number of variations, changes, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not present in the foregoing description. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure can include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A grill, comprising: Base structure; A first pressure plate assembly is connected to the base structure; A second pressure plate assembly is connected to the base structure, wherein at least the second pressure plate assembly is movable between a first position and a second position; as well as A latching mechanism operable to selectively hold the second pressure plate assembly in the second position, the latching mechanism including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion further includes a retaining ring that is movable to receive and engage the first portion when the first and second portions of the latching mechanism are misaligned; The second pressure plate assembly further includes an arm, and a second portion of the latching mechanism is connected to the arm. The second pressure plate assembly further includes a cover connected to the free end of the arm, wherein the arm includes a flange, and one end of the cover is adjacent to the flange.

2. The grill according to claim 1, wherein, One or more teeth extend outward from the surface of the arm, and the inner surface of the cover engages with the one or more teeth.

3. The grill according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cap is threaded to the arm.

4. The grill according to claim 1, wherein, One end of the cover is aligned with the free end of the arm.

5. The grill according to claim 1, wherein, The retaining ring is supported by the cover.

6. The grill according to claim 5, wherein, The retaining ring is constrained by the cover and the arm, such that the vertical movement of the retaining ring within the cover is restricted, but it can translate freely in a horizontal plane parallel to the free end of the arm.

7. A grill, comprising: Base structure; A lower pressure plate assembly, the lower pressure plate assembly being connected to the base structure and including a lower baking plate; An upper pressure plate assembly, movably connected to the base structure such that the upper pressure plate assembly can move between a raised position and a lowered position, the upper pressure plate assembly including an upper baking plate; as well as A latching mechanism includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being configured to engage with the lower portion to selectively hold the upper pressure plate assembly in the lowered position, wherein the upper portion further includes a retaining ring that is movable to receive and engage the lower portion when the upper and lower portions are misaligned. The upper pressure plate assembly further includes an arm, and the upper portion of the latching mechanism is connected to the arm. The upper part further includes a cover connected to the free end of the arm, wherein the retaining ring is in direct contact with the free end of the arm and the surface of the cover.

8. The grill according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the retaining ring and the cover has an opening formed therein to accommodate the lower part of the latching mechanism.

9. The grill according to claim 7, wherein, The retaining ring is movable in a plane relative to the free ends of the cover and the arm.

10. The grill according to claim 7, wherein, The inner diameter of the cover is larger than the outer diameter of the retaining ring, thereby defining a gap between them.

11. The grill according to claim 7, wherein, The material of the retaining ring has been hardened through a material processing technology.

12. A grill, comprising: Base structure; A lower pressure plate assembly, the lower pressure plate assembly being connected to the base structure and including a lower baking plate; An upper pressure plate assembly, movably connected to the base structure such that the upper pressure plate assembly can move between a raised position and a lowered position, the upper pressure plate assembly including an upper baking plate; as well as A latching mechanism includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being configured to engage with the lower portion to selectively hold the upper pressure plate assembly in the lowered position, wherein the upper portion further includes a retaining ring that is movable to receive and engage the lower portion when the upper and lower portions are misaligned. The upper pressure plate assembly further includes an arm, and the upper portion of the latching mechanism is connected to the arm. The upper portion further includes a cover connected to the free end of the arm, wherein the arm includes a flange, and one end of the cover is adjacent to the flange.

13. The grill according to claim 12, wherein, One or more teeth extend outward from the surface of the arm, and the inner surface of the cover engages with the one or more teeth.

14. The grill according to claim 12, characterized in that, The cap is threaded to the arm.

15. The grill according to claim 12, wherein, One end of the cover is aligned with the free end of the arm.

16. The grill according to claim 12, wherein, The retaining ring is supported by the cover.

17. The grill according to claim 16, wherein, The retaining ring is constrained by the cover and the arm, such that the vertical movement of the retaining ring within the cover is restricted, but it can translate freely in a horizontal plane parallel to the free end of the arm.

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