Multi-purpose grill grate

Abstract

The invention is a multi-purpose grill grate comprising a frame comprised of a parallel- assembled front rail and a rear rail, which are connected by two side walls, where at least one set of slats parallel to each other is placed in the frame. The slats (2) of the given set are freely rotatably placed in both the front rail (11) and the rear rail (12), wherein the slats (2) of the given set are coupled to each other and their rotational axes are parallel to each other, where longitudinal planar working areas (24) parallel to the rotational axes of the slats (2) are formed on the slats (2), wherein the working areas (24) are bounded along their length by both front edges (25) and rear edges (26), whose perpendicular distance is identical to the spacing of the rotational axes of the slats (2) with which the front edges (25) and the rear edges (26) are parallel, and where the other sides of the slats (2) do not extend beyond the outline of the working area (24), wherein the dimension of the slats (2) in the direction perpendicular to the planes of the working areas (24) is smaller than their width.

Description

[0001] Multi-purpose grill grate

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention falls within the field of kitchen and cooking equipment and relates to a multi-purpose grill grate.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Various inventions are known for the construction of grill grates and cooking griddles for the preparation of grilled dishes. A common problem in grilling, especially when grilling over solid fuels such as charcoal, is the difficulty in regulating the temperature of thermal treatment of food. This problem is usually addressed, for example, by adjustable height of the grill above the heat source, but the position of the grill with the grilled food is somewhat challenging to manipulate, and there is a risk of the dish falling off the grill. Another problem is fat dripping into the fireplace through gaps in the grill grid, causing both the formation of carcinogenic substances, which then adhere to the dish being prepared as part of the smoke produced and the frequent occurrence of flaming combustion, which grills the prepared dish too much, again resulting in the formation of carcinogenic substances. The problem of dripping fat can be solved by preparing the dish on a grill griddle, but then it is no longer direct grilling, but a different type of thermal treatment which gives the dishes distinct sensory qualities. However, it is almost impossible to replace the grill grate with a grill griddle while the grill is in operation.

[0006] The object of the presented invention is to present a multi-purpose grill grate that can be used for grilling over a direct heat source, especially a fireplace, as well as on a plate with the possibility of regulating the temperature of food treatment.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The stated object is achieved by the invention, which is a multi-purpose grill grate comprising a frame comprised of a parallel-assembled front rail and a rear rail, which are connected by two side walls, where at least one set of slats parallel to each other is placed in the frame. The summary of the invention is that the slats of a given set are freely rotatably placed in both the front rail and the rear rail, wherein the slats of the given set are coupled to each other, and their rotational axes are parallel to each other. Longitudinal planar working areas parallel to the rotational axes of the slats are formed on the slats, wherein the working areas are bounded along their length by both front edges and rear edges, the perpendicular distance of which is identical to the spacing of the rotational axes of the slats with which the front edges and rear edges are parallel. The other sides of the slats do not extend beyond the outline of the working area, wherein the dimension of the slats in the direction perpendicular to the planes of the working areas is smaller than their width.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the slats of the given set are coupled to each other by means of a rod and positioning members, where the rod is guided in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axes of the slats, and where the positioning members are both fixed to the slats and are swingably connected to the rod.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferred if there are in the rod formed through rod apertures of circular cross-section with rotational axes parallel to the rotational axes of the slats, where the spacings of the rotational axes of the slats and the rod apertures are identical, and that through positioning apertures are formed in the end regions of the positioning members with a circular cross-section identical to the cross-section of the rod apertures, where the positioning apertures and the rod apertures are overlapping and a connecting pin is inserted into them, the outer diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of both apertures, and which is freely rotatably placed in them.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the positioning members are of flat pear shape consisting of a circular part continuously transitioning into a positioning part with which they form one continuous area perpendicular to the rotational axis of the slats, where the rotational axes of the circular parts and the rotational axes of the slats are identical, where the radius of the circular parts is given by half the spacing of the rotational axes of the slats, wherein the circular parts do not touch each other by their circumferences, and where the positioning apertures are formed in the end regions of the positioning parts. Furthermore, it is preferable when the width of the positioning parts at the location of the perpendicular connecting line between the rotational axis of one slat on one side and the connecting line between the rotational axis of the adjacent slat and the rotational axis of the positioning aperture of the positioning member seated thereon on the other side is given by 0.8284 times the radius of the circular parts of the positioning members.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, a control element is fixed on one of the slats of the given set.

[0013] Finally, it is preferable when the multi-purpose grill grate comprises at least two sets of slats, where the slats of one set are always coupled to each other, which are then independent of the slats of the other set or other sets.

[0014] The present invention achieves a new and higher effect in that it allows the swinging movement of the slats to easily change the grill grid to a grill griddle, thereby simultaneously correcting the temperature of the food treatment, minimizing the dripping of fat when treating meaty or other fatty dishes down into the heat source, and in a preferred embodiment, it is furthermore allowed to perform simultaneous food treatment in different ways. A further advantage of the invention is the construction of the coupling of the slats, where their overturning is prevented, i.e. the slats with their working area in the griddle mode are their limit position, the stop, the second limiting position is then their position with the vertical direction of their working area. The multipurpose grill grate can be provided in any dimensions, both in terms of the number of slats and their length.

[0015] Description of the Drawings

[0016] Specific examples of the invention are shown schematically in the attached drawings where:

[0017] Fig. 1 is an axonometric overall view of the basic embodiment of a multi-purpose grill grate with one set of slats in the grill grid mode,

[0018] Fig. 2 is an axonometric overall view of the basic embodiment of a multi-purpose grill grate with one set of slats in the grill plate mode, Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of the basic embodiment of the multi-purpose grill grate of Fig. 2 in the exploded state,

[0019] Fig. 4 is an axonometric view of the basic embodiment of the multi-purpose grill grate of Fig. 1 in the exploded state,

[0020] Fig.5 is detail D of Fig. 4, i.e. , a detailed view of the placement of the slats in the rear rail and their coupling in the exploded state,

[0021] Fig.6 is a top view of the multi-purpose grate in the grill grid mode,

[0022] Fig. 7 is a view of section A-A of Fig. 6 from direction B,

[0023] Fig. 8 is a view of section A-A of Fig. 6 from direction C,

[0024] Fig. 9 is detail E of Fig. 8,

[0025] Fig. 10 is detail F of Fig. 7 with the slats in the grill grid mode,

[0026] Fig. 11 is a view of Fig. 10 with the slats in the grill plate mode,

[0027] Fig.12 is an axonometric overall view of an alternative embodiment of a multi-purpose grill grate with two sets of slats independent from each other with one set in the grill grid mode and the other set in the grill plate mode,

[0028] Fig. 13 is an axonometric overall view of the multi-purpose grill grate of Fig. 12 in the exploded state,

[0029] Fig. 14 is an axonometric overall view of another alternative embodiment of the multipurpose grill grate with three sets of slats independent from each other, and

[0030] Fig. 15 is an axonometric overall view of the multi-purpose grill grate of Fig. 14 in the exploded state.

[0031] The drawings illustrating the presented invention, and the examples of the specific embodiment described thereafter in no way limit the scope of protection stated in the definition, but only clarify the summary of the invention.

[0032] Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

[0033] According to the accompanying illustrations, the multi-purpose grill grate is comprised of the frame 1. in which the set of parallel slats 2 of trapezoidal cross-section is swingably placed. The frame 1. consists of the front rail 11 and the rear rail 12 arranged in opposite parallel, between which are fixed two longitudinal side walls 13 and 13‘, where all these members are in the form of flat boards and are assembled together in a rectangular formation, wherein the larger areas of their surfaces facing inwards and outwards of the frame 1_. In both the front rail 11 and the rear rail 12, a row of through rail apertures 101 and 101 ‘ of circular cross-section and constant spacing is formed, where the two rows are identical and mirror-situated to each other. The rail apertures 101 and 101 ‘ face perpendicularly to the interior space of the frame 1_. Working areas 24 are formed on the slats 2, to which corresponds the longer side of the trapezoidal cross-section of the slats 2, wherein the working areas 24 are bounded on their longitudinal sides by the front edges 25 and the rear edges 26, as shown in Fig. 9 to Fig. 11 . The width of the working areas 24 of the slats 2, thus the perpendicular distance between the front edges 25 and the rear edges 26, is identical to the spacing of the axes of the rail apertures 101 and 10T. The slats 2 are terminated at their ends abutting to the front rail 11 by front pins 21 and at their opposite ends by rear pins 22, where the longitudinal axes of the front pins 21 and the rear pins 22 are identical to the longitudinal rotational axis of the slats 2. Both the front pins 21 and the rear pins 22 have a cross-section shaped like two sides of a mirror-symmetrically cut circle, the diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of the rail apertures 101 and 10T. The slats 2 are rotatably placed in the rail apertures 101 by their front pins 21 and are rotatably placed in the rail apertures 10T by their rear pins 22. In front of the rear rail 12, on the slats 2 is placed a coupling mechanism 3, which is comprised of flat positioning members 31 , a rod 32, connecting pins 33, and spacer rings 34, as shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, 10 and 11 , the positioning members 31 are of a flat pear shape, where they consist of a circular part 311 continuously transitioning into a positioning part 313 with which they form one continuous area. In the geometric centre of the circular part 311 , a seating aperture 312 is formed, the shape and dimensions of which correspond to the shape and outer dimensions of the rear pins 22, onto which the positioning members 31 are seated by means of their seating apertures 312. Thus, the rotational axes of the circular parts 311 and the rotational axes of the slats 2 are identical. The radius of the circular parts 311 of the positioning members 31 is given by half of the perpendicular distances of the rotational axes of the slats 2, wherein the circular parts 311 do not touch each other by their circumferences. In the end regions of the positioning parts 313, through positioning apertures 314 of circular cross-section are formed, the rotational axes of which are parallel to, but not identical with, the longitudinal rotational axes of the slats 2. The width of the positioning parts 313 at the location of the perpendicular connecting line between the rotational axis of one slat 2 on one side and the connecting line of the centres of the seating aperture 312 and the positioning aperture 314 of the positioning member 31 seated on the adjacent slat 2 on the other side is given by 0.8284 times the radius of the circular parts 311 of the positioning members 31 . The rod 32 is attached to the positioning parts 313 of the positioning members 31 , which is provided with through rod apertures 321 of circular cross-section, the rotational axes of which are parallel to the longitudinal rotational axis of the slats 2, wherein the spacing of the rod apertures 321 is identical to the spacing of the rail apertures 111 and 101 ‘. The diameter of the rod apertures 321 is identical to the diameter of the positioning apertures 314, and their rotational axes are identical. The rod 32 is placed swingably on the positioning parts 313 of the positioning members 31 in axes parallel to the rotational axes of the slats 2, on the side abutting to the rear rail 12, wherein it is attached thereto by means of connecting pins 33 of cylindrical shape provided with a stop head 331 . The connecting pins 33 are inserted into the rod apertures 321 and the positioning apertures 314 on the side away from the rear rail 12, where the stop head 331 abuts to the rod 32 on this side, and where the outer diameter of the part of the connecting pins 33 inserted into these apertures corresponds to their inner diameter. Between the positioning members 31 and the rear rail 12, annular spacer rings 34 are mounted on the rear pins 22, the height of which corresponds to the sum of the dimensions of the rod 32 and the stop heads 331 in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the slats 2. Thus, by the described coupling mechanism 3, the slats 2 are coupled to each other for synchronous swinging motion along their longitudinal axes, wherein the angle between the extreme positions of their swing is 90°, where in the extreme positions the positioning part 313 of one positioning member 31 rests against the surface of the circular part 311 of the adjacent positioning member 31 . Thus, in one extreme position, the front edge 25 of one slat 2 contacts the rear edge 26 of the adjacent slat 2 and the working areas 24 of the slats 2 form a planar grill plate, and in the other extreme position, the working areas 24 of the slats 2 are in a vertical position and the grill grate is in the grill grid mode. On the front pin 21 of one of the slats 2, a control element 23 is fixed. The described embodiment is not the only possible solution. The multi-purpose grill grate may be provided with two or more independent sets of slats 2, where the slats 2 of each set are coupled to each other between each other but are independent of the slats 2 of the other set of slats 2, as shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 15. In these embodiments, a single fixed slat 201 with a horizontal working area 24 is then preferably seated between two adjacent sets of slats 2 in the frame 1 . Industrial applicability

[0034] The invention is applicable to the constructions of devices for thermal treatment of food by heat flow from a heat source, in particular outdoor solid fuel or gas heated grills.

[0035] List of the Reference Signs

[0036] 1 frame

[0037] 2 set of parallel slats of trapezoidal cross-section

[0038] 3 coupling mechanism

[0039] 11 front rail

[0040] 12 rear rail

[0041] 13 longitudinal side wall

[0042] 13' longitudinal side wall

[0043] 21 front pin

[0044] 22 rear pin

[0045] 24 working area

[0046] 25 front edge

[0047] 26 rear edge

[0048] 31 positioning member

[0049] 32 rod

[0050] 33 connecting pin

[0051] 34 spacer ring

[0052] 101 through rail aperture

[0053] 10T through rail aperture

[0054] 311 circular part

[0055] 312 seating aperture

[0056] 313 positioning part

[0057] 314 through positioning aperture

[0058] 321 through rod aperture

[0059] 331 stop head

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 02 May 2025 (02.05.2025)1. A multi-purpose grill grate comprising a frame comprised of a parallel- assembled front rail (11 ) and a rear rail (12), which are connected by two side walls, where at least one set of slats (2) parallel to each other is placed in the frame, wherein the slats (2) of the given set are freely rotatably placed in both the front rail (11 ) and the rear rail (12), wherein the slats (2) of the given set are coupled to each other and their rotational axes are parallel to each other, where longitudinal planar working areas (24) parallel to the rotational axes of the slats (2) are formed on the slats (2), wherein the working areas (24) are bounded along their length by both front edges (25) and rear edges (26), whose perpendicular distance is identical to the spacing of the rotational axes of the slats (2) with which the front edges (25) and the rear edges (26) are parallel, and where the other sides of the slats (2) do not extend beyond the outline of the working area (24), wherein the dimension of the slats (2) in the direction perpendicular to the planes of the working areas (24) is smaller than their width, wherein the slats (2) of the given set are coupled to each other by means of a rod (32) and positioning members (31 ), where the rod (32) is guided in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axes of the slats (2) and where the positioning members (31 ) are both fixed to the slats (2) and are swingably connected to the rod (32), where the spacings of the rotational axes of the slats (2) and of swingable connections of the positioning members (31 ) to the rod (32) are identical, characterised in that the positioning members (31 ) are of a flat pear shape consisting of a circular part (311 ) continuously transitioning into a positioning part (313) with which they form one continuous area perpendicular to the rotational axis of the slats (2), where the rotational axes of the circular parts (311 ) and the rotational axes of the slats (2) are identical, where the radius of the circular parts (311 ) is given by half of the spacing of the rotational axes of the slats (2), wherein the circular parts (311 ) do not touch each other by their circumferences, and where positioning members (31 ) are swingably connected to the rod (32) in the end regions of the positioning parts (313).

2. The multi-purpose grill grate according to claim 1 , characterised in that the width of the positioning parts (313) at the location of perpendicular connecting line between the rotational axis of one slat (2) on one side and the perpendicular connecting line between the rotational axis of the adjacent slat (2) and swingable connection of the positioning member (31 ) to the rod (32) on the other side is given by 0.8284 times the radius of the circular parts (311 ) of the positioning members (31 ).

3. The multi-purpose grill grate according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a control element (23) is fixed on one of the slats (2) of the given set.

4. The multi-purpose grill grate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises at least two sets of slats (2), where the slats (2) of one set are always coupled to each other, which are then independent of the slats of the other set or other sets.Statement accompanying the claim amendments of the application PCT / CZ2024 / 050084 under Ar. 19 PCTThe claims were amended such that the new claim 1 includes the features of the claim 4 as filed. The applicant respectfully disagrees with the statement of the Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority against the inventive step of the claim 4 as filed that the pear shape described is a mere design option that does not provide a further technical effect.The positioning members of a flat pear shape consisting of a circular part and positioning part as described in the new claim 1 are preventing the overturning and facilitate the two limiting positions corresponding to the open and closed slats grid positions. Therefore, they present a clean, user-friendly manipulation and structurally stable solution for securing the two limiting positions without the need of the slats solely serving for this purpose. The D1 (US2009173772) only mentions that the closed grid position is secured by the contact of the adjacent slats, which presents structurally less stable and harder to manipulate solution which is open to problems when some obstacles get in between the slats (such as bits of food). The D1 does not solve how the grid is secures in the open slats grid position.The technical differences discussed above are not obvious from the objected documents, therefore, the applicant is of the opinion that the new claims meet all the requirements of patentability.The D1 is however still a relevant art which might be advantageous to mention in the description of the application.See following relevant paragraphs on the page 3 and 6 of the description of the presented application:Page 3: A further advantage of the invention is the construction of the coupling of the slats, where their overturning is prevented, i.e. the slats with their working area in the griddle mode are their limit position, the stop, the second limiting position is then their position with the vertical direction of their working area.Page 6: Thus, by the described coupling mechanism 3, the slats 2 are coupled to each other for synchronous swinging motion along their longitudinal axes, wherein the angle between the extreme positions of their swing is 90°, where in the extreme positions the positioning part 313 of one positioning member 31 rests against the surface of the circular part 311 of the adjacent positioning member 31. Thus, in one extreme position, the front edge 25 of one slat 2 contacts the rear edge 26 of the adjacent slat 2 and the working areas 24 of the slats 2 form a planar grill plate, and in the other extreme position, the working areas 24 of the slats 2 are in a vertical position and the grill grate is in the grill grid mode.

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