Ground supported barbecue with residue control

Abstract

A ground supported barbecue apparatus utilizing a stand having a frame that supports a tray with a grill. The tray and grill are vertically positioned by a height adjuster to ensure cooking of foodstuffs at a proper temperature and above an ignited fuel source below the frame. The barbecue also includes a residue holding component. The components of the barbecue apparatus are easily disassembled for storage.

Description

[0001] GROUND SUPPORTED BARBECUE WITH RESIDUE CONTROL

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present application relates to a novel and useful barbecue apparatus which is ground supported.

[0004] Grilling of foods has existed in the Americas since pre-colonial times. There are generally several varieties of grills that are categorized according to the source of heat. For example, barbecue grills are known as gas-fueled, charcoal, or electric.

[0005] In addition, charcoal grills may employ any wood- derived material, such as scrap wood, branches, and the like, to grill foods. Charcoal grills are normally constructed with a fixed pan or kettle to hold charcoal briquettes or natural lump charcoal as a fuel source. When ignited, such fuel sources radiate heat necessary to cook food on a grill located above the pan. The elevation of the grill above the source of heat is usually fixed in conventional barbecue grills. Thus, the only control of the heat delivered to the food being grilled is determined by the quantity and type of fuel located below the grill.

[0006] A barbecue grill that includes a grill or grate having an adjustable height above the source of heat would be a notable advance in the field of food preparation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present application, a novel and useful ground-supported barbecue apparatus is hereinafter provided.

[0008] The barbecue, herein presented, includes a stand or frame having a ground surface contacting portion and an outwardly extending portion connected to the ground contacting portion. The outwardly extending portion includes a frame. A tray is also found in the apparatus of the present application and holds a grate or grill and is located above the ground surface contacting portion of the stand. The tray is freely movable relative to the ground surface contacting portion of the stand. Needless to say, the grill of the tray is also movable relative to the ground surface, where the fuel source is located.

[0009] A height adjuster is further utilized in the barbecue of the present application and positions the tray and the grill a certain distance relative to the ground surface. The adjuster includes at least one cable linked to the tray and a turnable crank for selectively moving the cable relative to the stand. The height adjuster may also include a rotatable shaft which connects to the crank and is rotatably held to the outwardly extending portion of the stand. In certain cases, a pair of cables may be used in conjunction with the rotatable shaft rotatably held to the stand and operated by the crank. The cable or cables wrap or unwrap about the rotatable shaft when the crank is turned.

[0010] A guide is also employed in the present apparatus to stabilize the position of the tray relative to the stand. A brake is also found in the apparatus of the present application for arresting the rotational movement of the shaft and crank to fix the position of the tray and grill relative to the ground. The brake may include a spring circumventing the rotatable shaft, which lies between a flange fixed to the shaft and the outward extending portion of the stand. The spring would frictionally engage the flange and the outwardly extending portion of the stand to a sufficient degree in order to arrest the rotational movement of the shaft and crank as desired. Such arresting of the shaft and crank would hold or fix the tray or grill at a certain height or distance above the ground surface when the barbecue is cooking foodstuffs. Needless to say, the quantity of heat emanating from the source of fuel placed on the ground below the grill and tray would determine the height of the tray and grill to properly cook foodstuffs located on the grill.

[0011] The present apparatus may also be fashioned with an open container or bin supported to said stand or frame. The open container is positioned apart from said grate to receive residue, such as ashes, unburnt fuel, and the like, from the grate. The apparatus may also be formed with a plate that is hingedly attached to the frame or open container to travel to a first position above the open container, for closure of the same. The plate may also extend to a second position apart from the open container and may be held thereat by a removable support.

[0012] It may be apparent that a novel and useful barbecue apparatus has been hereinabove described.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a barbecue apparatus that possesses a grill that is adjustable in height relative to the ground below.

[0014] Another object of the present application is to provide a barbecue grill which is of durable construction and may be assembled and disassembled easily.

[0015] Another object of the present application is to provide a barbecue apparatus that is capable of employing a fuel source of varying types to deliver heat to the food being grilled.

[0016] Another object of the present application is to provide a barbecue apparatus that possesses an adjustable height of the grill above the ground surface to control the amount of heat delivered to the food being grilled.

[0017] Another object of the present application is to provide a barbecue apparatus that includes a container for gathering residue from a cooking grate.

[0018] Another object of the present application is to provide a barbecue apparatus that is usable in ecologically sensitive areas. Another object of the present application is to provide a barbecue apparatus that allows the convenient arranging of implements used in cooking.

[0019] The application possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the barbecue apparatus with movable tray and grill in the down position.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the barbecue apparatus showing the movable tray and grill in a raised position.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the operation of the crank.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a partial front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus depicting the rotating shaft and crank.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an exemplary leg for the stand.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a partial front view partially depicting the connection of the cable relative to the tray and frame.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a partial elevational view depicting the rotating shaft relative to the frame and the stop mechanism associated therewith.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the barbecue apparatus of the present application.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present application. FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present application.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

[0032] For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Various aspects of the present application well evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior delineated drawings.

[0035] The barbecue apparatus as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, it may be observed that apparatus 10 includes, as one of its elements, a stand 12 having a ground contacting portion 14 and an outwardly extending portion 16, including a frame 18.

[0037] Ground contacting portion 14 is provided with a platform 20 supported above ground surface 22 by removable legs 24, 26, 28, and 30, FIGS. 1 and 3. With reference to FIG. 6, it may be observed that a top plan view of exemplary leg 24 is depicted and is typical of the construction of legs 26, 28, and 30. Leg 24 includes a bracket 34 which is welded to platform 20 at weld line 36. An elongated square tube 38 slidingly engages the interior of bracket 34 and is held thereto by a pin 40. A spreadable retaining spring 42 (directional arrows 43) holds pin 40 in place and allows the removal of pin 40 when elongated square tube 38 is to be removed from bracket 34 for storage. Needless to say, the square tubes of legs 26, 28, and 30 are removed in a similar manner for storage. Frame 18 of outwardly extending portion 16 of stand 12 is formed with hollow vertical members 42 and 44 and a hollow / contiguous cross member 46. Frame 18 rests on and is removable from surface 48 of platform 20. For example, hollow frame member 44 slips over a supporting stud 45 and is held thereto by removable pin 47, FIG. 2. Frame member 42 is similarly formed. Thus, frame 18 may be removed for storage when apparatus 10 is not in use.

[0038] A tray 50 is employed in apparatus 10 and is constructed to hold open grill 52. Tray 50 and held grill 52 may initially rest or locate adjacent to surface 48 of platform 20. As may be apparent hereinafter, tray is freely movable relative to ground surface contacting portion 14 of apparatus 10. Open grill 52 receives heat from ignited fuel source 88.

[0039] Apparatus 10 further possesses a height adjuster 54 for positioning tray 50 and open grill 52 at a certain distance relative to ground surface 22. Height adjuster 54 is formed with cables 56 and 58 that may be of aircraft grade. Cables 56 and 58 are connected to a rotatable shaft 60 which is linked to a removable crank 62. Rotatable shaft 60 may be turned relative to supporting frame 16. FIG. 5 details the interconnection between removable crank 62 and rotatable shaft 60. As may be observed, an internally threaded boss 64 engages a threaded extension 66 of crank 62. Wing nut 68 holds crank 62 to internally threaded boss 64 when in use. Further, internally threaded boss connects to rotatable shaft

[0040] 60 through frame member 44 such that the turning of crank 62, directional arrow 70, also rotates internally threaded boss and rotatable shaft 60. Such movement wraps and unwraps cables 56 and 58 about rotatable shaft 60 and positions tray 50 and open grill 52 at a certain distance relative to ground surface 22.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 2, it may be observed that tray 50 and open grill 52 have been raised from a resting position on or near surface 48 of platform 20 to a position at a certain distance above ground surface 22. Cables 56 and 58 are shown partially wrapped about shaft 60 due to the turning of crank 62.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 7, it may be seen that cable 58 connects to tray 50 by the use of a ring 72 which has been welded to tray 50. Guides 74 and 76 stabilize the positioning of tray 50 in its movement upwardly or downwardly along vertical members 42 and 44. With reference to FIG. 4, it may be seen that exemplary guide 76 is fashioned by L-shaped members 78 and 80 that are welded to tray 50 and, thus, moves along vertical member 44 with tray 50. Guide 74 is similarly fashioned.

[0043] A brake 82 is also found in apparatus 10 for arresting the rotational movement of shaft 60. With respect to FIG. 8, it may be apparent that shaft 60 extends through vertical member 42 of frame 18 and terminates in a flange 84. A spring 86 circumvents shaft 60 and is positioned between flange 84 and vertical member 42. Spring 86 frictionally engages flange 84, vertical member 42, and rotatable shaft 50 to an extent that allows the rotation of shaft 60 by crank 62, but prevents the counter rotation of shaft 50 when crank 62 is released.

[0044] Viewing FIG. 9, it may be further observed that another embodiment 10A of the apparatus of the present application is shown. Apparatus 10A includes the stand 12, ground contacting portion 14 and outward extending portion 16. Also, frame 18 is essentially similar to the frame 18 shown in FIG. 1. Apparatus 10A also includes a height adjuster 100 for positioning tray 50 and grill 52 above ground surface 22. Height adjuster 100 takes the form of a unitary cable 102 which is linked to tray 50 via detachable connectors 104 and 106. Detachable connectors 104 and 106 are similarly constructed. For example, detachable connector 104 includes a hook 108 that detachably engages a nut 110 fixed to tray 50. Detachable connectors 104 and 106 lie at the termini of unitary cable 102. Unitary cable 102 extends from detachable connectors 104 and 106 to rotatable shaft 112 and passes through rotatable shaft 112 through openings 114 and 116. Rotatable shaft 112 is removably connected to crank 62, which is similar to crank 62 shown in FIG. 1 with respect to embodiment 10. It should also be realized that the turning of crank 62 per directional arrow 70 will wrap unitary cable 102 about rotatable shaft 12 and will serve to raise and lower tray 50 and grill 52 relative to ground surface 22. As illustrated in FIG. 9, tray 50 (in phantom) has been raised above ground contacting portion 14. Directional arrow 118 represents the upward and downward movement of tray 50 and grill 52 by the use of height adjuster 100.

[0045] Turning to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment 10B of the barbecue apparatus of the present application is shown. Embodiment 10B illustrates a barbecue apparatus that includes many of the features depicted in FIGS. 1-9, hereinbefore. For example, embodiment 10B shows a frame or stand 210. Frame 210 includes an upright portion 212 and a base portion 214. Removable pins 213 and 215 hold upright portion 212 to base portion 214 via receivers 231 and 233. Receivers 231 and 233 may be shimmed to accommodate frame 210. Base portion 214 includes an upholder 216 contacting ground surface 22. Upright portion 212 is formed with a grate 218 that moves up and down according to directional arrow 220 as a result of an adjustment mechanism 222, which is very similar to height adjuster 54 depicted in FIGS. 1-9. Crank 223 is detachable via removable pin 225. Spring 86 is positioned to rotatable shaft 60 via a roll pin 221 against a washer 229. Again, the tension of spring 86 upon shaft 60 holds grate 218 in a vertical position when set there by crank shaft 60.

[0046] Importantly, embodiment 10B possesses an open container, or bin, 224 which serves as an integral part of base portion 214. Open container 224 has an interior 219 positioned below grate 218 and is capable of receiving residue 226 dropping from grate 218, indicated by directional arrows 237 and 227. Residue 226 from grate 218 is noted in FIGS. 11 and 12. At least one vent 217 permits air access to the interior 2019 of bin 224.

[0047] A plate 228 is positionable above open container 224 in a first position, or apart from open container 228 in a second position. FIG. 11 depicts plate 228 in the first position 230 and is shown schematically in the second position 232. A pair of hinges 234 and 236 allows the rotational swinging of plate 228 relative to open container 224, first position 230, to a second position away from open container 224, second position 232. Hinges 234 and 236 are best illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0048] With further reference to FIG. 11, it may be apparent that upholder 216 takes the form of pairs of removable legs 238 and 240. Pairs of removable legs 238 and 240 may be sized to determine the height of frame 210 above ground surface 22. With further reference to FIG. 11, exemplar leg 242 depicts the typical structure of each leg of pairs of removable legs 238 and 240. With respect to exemplar leg 242, receiver 244 is attached, by welding, to the exterior of open container 224. Receiver 244 allows the insertion or removal of leg extension 246. A pin 248 holds leg 246 in receiver 244. Each leg, of pairs of legs 238 and 240, are angled relative to a vertical axis at about fifteen degrees. Again, each leg of pairs of removable legs 230 and 240 are identically constructed to leg 242.

[0049] Viewing now FIGS. 11 and 12, in particular, it may be seen that a support 250 holds plate 228 in its second position 232 away from open container 224. Open container 224 is able to receive residue 226 from grate 218 in this position. Plate 228 may also serve as a table for barbecue appurtenances, such as flatware, sauces, and the like. Support 250 is shown as a pair of removable arms 252 and 254 which are held in a support position by brackets 256 and 258. A latch 260 secures plate 228 to open container 224 while in first position 230.

[0050] In operation, the user of barbecue apparatus 10 or 10A provides selective fuel 88 below platform 20 atop ground surface 22. Igniting fuel 88 produces heat which rises up to grill 52 to cook a foodstuff. Fuel 88 may take the form of any wood based substance, such as chips, branches, charcoal, and the like. Grill 52 within tray is then positioned above ground surface 52 by the use of height adjuster 54 or 100, specifically by the turning of crank 62. Brake 82 retains grill 52 in the desired position above ground surface while foodstuffs are cooked on grill 52. Directional arrow 90, FIG. 2 and directional arrow 118, FIG. 9, shows the movement of tray 50 and grill 52 upwardly from a position on or adjacent to surface 48 of platform 20. Thus, the movement of tray 50 and grill 52 controls the cooking temperature for foodstuffs located on tray 52. Apparatuses 10 and 10A may be easily assembled and disassembled for storage by removing legs 24, 26, 28, and 30 and frame 16 from platform 20. Crank 62 is also removable and connected to rotatable shaft by loosening wing nut 68 and operating the threaded engagement of boss 564 and extension 66. The unitary cable 102 of apparatus 10A is also removable with rotatable shaft 112 from tray 50 by the manipulation of detachable connectors 104 and 106.

[0051] With respect to embodiment 10B revealed in FIGS. 10- 12, the operation of barbecue 10B is essentially the same as that shown in embodiments 10 and 10A. However, the use of open container 224 to catch or receive residue 226 from grate 218 is employed. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, it may be observed that plate 228 covers open container 224 to hold captured residue 226 when in a first position 230. When plate 228 is rotated or moved to a second position 232, open container 224 is able to receive residue 226, directional arrows 225 and 227, for storage. Plate 228, extended and supported by removable arms 252 and 254, in its second position 232, operates as a table or platform for the convenience of user of barbecue apparatus 10B. After use of plate 228 in such second position 232, plate 228 is again rotated over the top of open container 224 to prevent escape of residue 226. Arms 254 and 256 may also be removed at this juncture, if not needed. When stacked, the disassembled components of barbecue apparatus occupy a compact storage space of approximately 24 inches (61cm) in width, 20.25 inches (51.4cm) in depth, and 4.5 inches (11.4cm) in height.

[0052] While in the foregoing embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the application.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A barbecue apparatus, with residue control, placed on a ground surface, comprising: a frame having a base portion and a connected upright portion, said base portion including an upholder, said upright portion supporting a grate and an adjustable mechanism for moving said grate relative to said base portion; an open container, said open container being connected to said base portion, said open container being positioned apart from said grate to receive residue therefrom; a plate, said plate being positionable above said open container in a first position and apart from said open container in a second position; a support, said support being removable fixed to said frame and contacting said plate in said second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said plate is selectively, hingedly, attached to said frame and said open container.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said adjustment mechanism comprises a cable link to said grate and a rotatable shat rotatably supported to said frame, said cable being further linked to said shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 which additionally comprises a crank for turning said shaft and wrapping said cable about said shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a brake for arresting the rotatable movement of said shaft, said brake comprising a spring circumventing said shaft, and which further comprises a flange fixed to said rotatable shaft, said spring being positioned between said flange and said frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said plate is selectively, hingedly, attached to said frame and said open container.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said adjustment mechanism comprises a cable link to said grate and a rotatable shat rotatably supported to said frame, said cable being further linked to said shaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 which additionally comprises a crank for turning said shaft and wrapping said cable about said shaft.

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