Multi-Height Barbecue Support Assembly for Skewers and Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional barbecues offer limited options for cooking different types of food, as they require specific arrangements that often restrict the use of multiple accessories simultaneously, and existing accessories are not easily adaptable for varied cooking heights.

Innovation Solution

A barbecue support assembly that allows for the simultaneous use of various food retention devices and accessories at multiple preselected heights above the grill, featuring a frame with transverse bars and a rotatable leg assembly for adjustable positioning and easy assembly/disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flat grill with spaced ribs is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cooking flexibility and ability to accommodate multiple accessories is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly is divided into multiple body elements with parts positioned at different preselected heights, allowing independent positioning of cooking accessories at various levels above the grill

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to the cooking space by providing support at multiple heights above the flat grill surface, transforming a two-dimensional cooking plane into a three-dimensional cooking volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple accessories are used simultaneously, then cooking versatility increases, but the risk of flare-ups and charred food increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidflare-ups and charred food
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By elevating accessories to multiple heights above the heat source, food is positioned in a three-dimensional space that reduces direct contact with flames and hot surfaces, minimizing flare-ups and charring while maintaining cooking versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If accessories are fixed in one configuration, then the structure is simple, but the ability to adapt to different cooking requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to cooking requirementsVSAvoidaccessory configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support assembly allows accessories to be dynamically repositioned between multiple preselected heights, enabling adaptation to different cooking requirements without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-height support structure serves multiple functions by accommodating different types of food retention devices at various heights, making a single assembly suitable for diverse cooking needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2803304B1Barbecue support assembly
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS
  • EP2803304B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2803304B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2803304B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A barbecue support assembly (20) for supporting an elongate skewer (22) or other accessories at one or more preselected heights above a barbecue grill. The barbecue support assembly includes one or more body elements (26) having one or more parts (28) thereof positionable substantially at one of the preselected heights. Also the part includes one or more apertures (30) in which an end of the skewer is receivable. A rotatable and removable leg assembly (36,38) is also provided.