Grill with flat top griddle and vertically adjustable swinging accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grills are designed for single users and lack versatility in accommodating multiple individuals or varied cooking requirements, with limited space for different food types and temperature adjustments, necessitating multiple grills or sequential cooking.

Innovation Solution

A unique live-fire grill with a flat top griddle and vertically adjustable swinging accessories, including a retention ledge to prevent food from sliding, a cylindrical drum for comfortable height, and adjustable ventilation for air supply, allowing for simultaneous cooking of multiple items with different temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a grill is designed for single user with fixed configuration, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate multiple users or varied cooking requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of multiple users and varied cooking requirementsVSAvoidgrill structure and component configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grill is divided into multiple independent functional zones: a flat top griddle surface for direct contact cooking, a central opening for heat control, and multiple accessory mounting positions. This segmentation allows different cooking methods to occur simultaneously in different zones, enabling multiple users to cook different food types at the same time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grill incorporates vertically adjustable and horizontally swingable accessories that can be dynamically repositioned. The accessories can be adjusted to different heights and swung away from the central opening to control temperature exposure, allowing flexible adaptation to various cooking requirements and user preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a grill has limited space for different food types, then the device complexity is reduced, but multiple food items cannot be cooked simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous cooking capacityVSAvoidnumber of mounting options and accessories

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grill employs universal mounting rods that can accommodate multiple types of accessories (grates, woks, pots, pans) at various positions. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to support diverse cooking vessels, enabling simultaneous preparation of multiple different food types without requiring separate dedicated structures for each.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The grill adds vertical dimensionality with adjustable height accessories and a flat top griddle surface, transforming a two-dimensional cooking surface into a three-dimensional cooking space. This allows stacking and positioning of multiple accessories at different heights, significantly increasing simultaneous cooking capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a grill cannot be modified to fit individual needs, then manufacturing is simpler, but user-specific cooking requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization to individual needsVSAvoidstandardized production process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grill is manufactured with pre-installed mounting rods and adjustment mechanisms in standard positions, allowing users to easily configure the system to their specific needs without requiring complex custom manufacturing. The preliminary preparation of adjustment holes and mounting points enables rapid customization during setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables multiple users to cook simultaneously and efficiently manage various food types with adjustable temperature settings, enhancing cooking flexibility and reducing the risk of food burning due to inattentiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The flatbed griddle has a concave shape for directing grease, fat, or other material to the central opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a fire basket, where twigs, charcoal, and/or other fuel burns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The barrel includes a sliding vent door that adjusts the amount of air supplied to the fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11882962B2Grill with flat top griddle and vertically adjustable swinging accessories

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 NORRIS MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A live-fire grill has been developed with a central opening and one or more adjustable accessories. In one example, the central opening is covered by a central grate to provide a more typical grilling experience. In another example, the central grate is raised to prevent food loss down the central opening. Surrounding the central opening is a griddle with an outer periphery defining a retention ledge. The retention ledge serves as a backstop to prevent food falling off the griddle and onto the ground. Attached to the grill is one or more rods holding one or more adjustable accessories. The accessories automatically lock in position and may be adjusted both horizontally and vertically. In one example, the accessory is an adjustable grate with 360 degrees of rotation.