Grill Cover Assembly with Segmented Design for Protection and Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barbecue grill covers do not effectively protect grills from outdoor elements and contaminants while allowing for easy use and storage, as they often require removal and may not provide adequate support or adjustability for different grill sizes and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A grill cover assembly comprising an upper and lower section with a loop system and a free-standing stand that includes hooks and columns, allowing the cover to be easily hung and supported without needing to be attached to the grill, while also being adjustable to fit various grill sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cover is made as a single piece that must be removed for grill access, then the cover provides continuous protection, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the cover must be completely removed to access the grill
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into an upper section and a lower section that can be independently positioned. The upper section can be raised to allow grill access while the lower section remains in place to continue providing protection for the base of the grill, thus segmenting the cover function to simultaneously achieve protection continuity and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the cover is designed to fit tightly on the grill, then the protection effectiveness improves, but the adaptability deteriorates because it cannot accommodate different grill sizes and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates adjustable elements including elastic cords with toggles and removable sections that allow the cover to dynamically adapt to different grill sizes and configurations. This enables the cover to maintain a tight fit for protection effectiveness while being versatile enough to accommodate various grill types.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover design includes universal features such as an adjustable upper section with multiple attachment points and a lower section that can accommodate different grill bases. The stand-alone capability of the lower section allows it to serve multiple grill configurations, achieving both protection effectiveness and adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is removed for storage when not in use, then the ease of operation improves for grill access, but the protection effectiveness deteriorates because the grill is exposed when the cover is not on
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows the lower section to remain on the grill as a protective base cover while the upper section is removed or raised for grill access. This segmentation enables the grill to be accessible for operation while still maintaining protection effectiveness through the lower section remaining in place.
4Ease of operation
If the cover includes a stand-alone support structure, then the ease of operation improves by allowing the cover to be supported without attaching to the grill, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower section of the cover is designed to be self-supporting with its own structural integrity, allowing it to stand independently without requiring attachment to the grill or dependence on the upper section. This self-service design provides ease of operation through independent support while minimizing device complexity by using a simple, stable structure.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an assembly configured to cover a barbecue grill, including a cover including an upper section and a lower section, wherein the upper section is configured to selectively cover and uncover a hood of the barbecue grill, wherein an inner surface of the upper section includes a loop; a stand including a hook, wherein the hook is configured to hold the loop such that the stand supports the upper section.