WO1999007268A1

WO1999007268A1 - Barbecue grill which can accommodate nesting accessories

Info

Publication number: WO1999007268A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/016445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry C. Schubert; Edward H. Meisner
Original assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-08-08
Filing date: 1998-08-07
Publication date: 1999-02-18
Also published as: AU8774598A

Abstract

The present invention is directed to nesting accessories (10) for a barbecue grill side burner (20) or a main grill burner (74). When used with either the side burner (20) or the main burner (74), the nesting accessories (10) provide a convenient way to cook various types of food items. The nesting accessories (10) include pans which are partially set inside the cooking compartment of the grill side burner or main burner. The pans can be used alone or in cooperation with other pans and accessories which nest together. The pans include an outer rim which rests over a top surface of the grill, and an inset portion which is positioned inside the cooking compartment or cavity for stability and space efficiency. When the nest accessories are used with a side burner, a heat pipe (16) may surround the lower burner to channel heat upwardly. The heat pipe may have a top section (17) that is either removable or spring loaded in order to accommodate the insertion of the pans.

Description

BARBECUE GRILL WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE NESTING ACCESSORIES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a barbecue grill which can accommodate nesting accessones m a side burner or mam gπll portion for cooking, or in a side drawer for storage when not in use

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the years, the barbecue grill has been transfoπned from what was. originally, a relatively simple cooking device, to a multi-purpose outdoor cooking unit, in an attempt to more efficiently and conveniently prepare food The present-day barbecue gπll is now used to prepare many types of foods m a variety of different forms

As part of the cooking revolution, side burners positioned adjacent to the mam gπll have been designed to work m association with the mam gπll in order to cook food held m containers, such as pots or pans, apart from the main grill Generally, the side burner includes a small cooking grate placed over a separately controlled lower burner, and offers several advantages over barbecue grills lacking side burners First, additional cooking space is provided to the user Furthermore, the user has the ability to vary heat settings to items placed on the side burner without disrupting the cooking of food on the main gπll In addition, the side burner allows the user to more effectively cook foods m pots and pans, rather than on the main cooking grate or on the household stove The cooking grate on the side burner or main grill, however, is ill suited to perform various cooking functions The cooking grate is ill-equipped to accommodate a large pot or pan placed on the grate, or for holding one pan placed mside another pan in order to provide a double-boiler or steamer function Large or multiple pans used on either the main or side cooking grate result in a cluttered work space which provides a rather unpleasant and inconvenient cooking experience

Although the side burner provides the user with some additional cookmg options, it is always desired to equip a barbecue grill with additional cooking functions, while at the same time providing the user with additional cookmg space While the conventional side burner and main gπll provide some additional work space and convenience, an inexpensive arrangement or assembly is needed to increase cookmg space, while also providing additional cooking options on the barbecue gπll

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a side burner or main grill that can be transformed into a receptacle for holding various food containers The food containers may be used alone or in combination to provide a variety of cooking options The containers may be inset into the burner cavity and rest on its outer edge in order to provide a stable support for additional nesting pans placed therein In addition, the inset or nesting containers function to limit the clutter and inconvenience that may arise where one large pan or multiple nesting pans are resting directlv on the cooking grate

The present invention is directed to a cooking assembly for a barbecue grill comprising a heatmg compartment defining a cavity therein, the heating compartment having a bottom wall and side walls, the side walls extending upwardly and terminating to form a top edge defining a top opening A heat source is housed within the heating compartment for cooking food One container having a top πm and a lower inset portion can then be placed inside the heating compartment such that the top πm rests over the top edge of the heatmg compartment, with the lower inset portion positioned inside the cavity and above the heat source

Where the nesting containers are placed inside a side burner for a gπll, the heat source is positioned substantially lower than the conventional heat source in order to accommodate insertion of a deep container Other various shallow containers may then nest inside the deep container to perform a double boiling or steamer function In order to effectively channel heat to the grate or the mset container, a heat pipe may be positioned over the heat source and extends upwardly to just below the edge of the top opening of the heat compartment A top piece of the heat pipe may be removable or spring loaded m order to accommodate the inset containers When the top grate is in place, the heat pipe is positioned just below the top grate

Other details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed descπption of the presently preferred embodiments of practicing the invention

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention and prefeπed methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which

Figure 1 is a side plan view of the nesting accessories of the present invention placed in a side table of a barbecue gπll

Figure 2 is a prospective view of the alternate embodiments of the heat pipe of the present invention

Figure 3 is a side plan view of the nesting accessories placed in a grill mam burner Figure 4 is split-cross sectional view of the alternate forms the side burner utilizing the nesting accessoπes illustrated in Figure 1

Figure 5 is a prospective view of the lid of the nesting accessories illustrated in Figure 1

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid covering the side burner of the present invention Figure 7 is a prospective view of the griddle of the nesting accessories illustrated in

Figure 1

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the griddle m place of the top grid of the present invention Figure 9 is a prospective view of the deep pan of the nesting accessories illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the deep pan positioned over the lower burner. Figure 11 is a prospective view of the shallow pan of the nesting accessories illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a split cross-sectional view of the shallow pan and deep pan of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a prospective view of the steamer pan of the nesting accessories illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 14 is a split cross-sectional view of the steamer pan and deep pan of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a prospective view of the divided pan of the nesting accessories illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 16 is a split cross-sectional view of the divided pan and deep pan of the present invention.

Figure 17 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing corner metal risers.

Figure 18 is a split cross-sectional view of the metal risers supporting the deep pan of the nesting accessories illustrated in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is directed to nesting accessories 10 for a barbecue grill side burner 20 or a main grill burner 74. When used with either the side burner 20 or the main burner 74, the nesting accessories 10 provide a convenient way to cook various types of food items. The nesting accessories 10 are inset into the grill for stability and space efficiency.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the side burner 20 comprises, generally, a conventional top grid 2 overlaying a slightly recessed portion 4. Although the recessed portion 4 may be any suitable shape and size, the recessed portion 4 is preferably rectangular and measures approximately 9 inches wide and 11 5 inches long The top gπd 2 is centrally positioned over a lower heat source, generally 12, for heating food placed directly or indirectly on the top gπd 2 The top gπd 2 is constructed of any heat transferπng metal such as steel, stamless steel, copper, cast iron, or the like The recessed portion 4 is the same shape as the top gπd 2, and is preferably rectangular As best shown in FIG 4, which is a split view of two operating modalities of the side burner 20, the top grid 2 is sized slightly smaller than the recessed portion, such that the top gπd 2 is securely positioned and inset into the recess 4 and retained therein in order to limit the lateral movement of the top gnd 2 The top grid 2 is removable from the recessed portion 4 which exposes a cavity 8 in which is housed the heat source 12

Where the present invention is utilized with a gas grill, the heat source 12 generally includes a lower burner 6 connected to a gas inlet 14 In order to receive the nesting accessories 10, descπbed below, the heat source 12, specifically the lower burner 6, is positioned substantially below the top gπd 2 Because it is important to have as much heat reach the top gπd 2 as possible when the nesting accessories 10 are not utilized, it is preferable that a heat pipe, generally. 16 surround the lower burner 6 in order to channel heat to the top gπd 2

As best shown in FIG 4. the heat pipe 16 is an open ended cylindrical tube which is secured over the lower burner 6 and acts m a fashion similar to a chimney, channeling heat centrally upward from the lower burner 6 to the top grid 2 In this way, the main heat output is effectively directed to the center of the top grid 2 rather than dispersed throughout the relatively large cavity 8. and inefficiently heatmg the side walls 19 forming the cavity 8 The heat pipe 16 is preferably a two-piece cylindπcal tube having a removable top section 17 and a bottom section 18 Both the top section 17 and the bottom section 18 preferably include apertures 22 that extend around a peπphery of an upper portion of each section Apertures 22 in the bottom section 18 permit the flow of secondary air into the heat pipe 16 to aid in combustion, while apertures 22 in the top section 17 allow for combustion venting The bottom section 18 of the heat pipe is preferably secured to a bottom wall 21 of the side burner

20 by any conventional fastening means including welding, press fit. screwing, bolting, or the like The top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 preferably includes a lower skirt 15 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bottom section 18 such that the top section 17 rests over the bottom section 18, thereby providing substantially vertical alignment between a peπpheral wall 24 of the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 and a bottom peπpheral wall 26 of the bottom section 18 of the heat pipe 16 The alignment of the peripheral wall 24 of the top section 17 over the peripheral wall 26 of the bottom section 18 allows heat to πse from the lower burner 6 directly up to the top gπd 2 As most clearly shown in the right side split view of FIG 4, removal of the top gπd 2 and the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 provides a substantiallv rectangular cavity 8 extending downwardly to the lower burner 6. which is surrounded by the bottom section 18 of the heat pipe 16 The distance between a top edge of the bottom section 18 of the heat pipe 16 and the recessed portion 4 is preferably approximately 3 inches, which provides sufficient distance to accommodate the nesting accessories 10, descπbed below

As shown in FIGS 1. 3, and 4, the nesting accessories, generally. 10, preferably include a gπddle 28. a deep pan 32. a shallow pan 40. a steamer pan 48. a divided pan 54, and a lid 60 which cooperate together for convenient cooking and/or storage mside the barbecue grill Apart from the lid 52 which may be placed over the top grid 2 (described below), the nesting accessories 10 are used in place of the top grid 2. and. where indicated, are utilized with the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 removed The nesting accessories 10 are constructed of conventional cookmg metals such as copper, stainless steel, aluminum, or any other metal sufficient to withstand the heat of a barbecue gπll

As best shown in FIGS 5 and 6, the top lid 60 can be used alone or m combination with other nesting accessories, as further descπbed below Although any size may be used, the lid 60 is preferably 10 5 inches wide and 13 inches long The lid 60 can be used to cover the top grid 2 in order to retain heat The lid 60 includes a top handle 61 for easy lifting and placement during cooking and storage The lid 60 also includes a lip 62 which, when properly positioned, covers the top grid 2 and the recessed portion 4. The lid 60 also acts as a cover for each of the pan accessories described below.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the two-sided griddle 28 includes a flat cooking surface

29 on one side and a grated cooking surface 27 on the reverse side. The griddle 28 includes outer peripheral raised edges 31 on the flat cooking surface 29 in order to retain greases and juices from the cooked food on either cooking surface of the griddle 28 during the cooking process. The griddle 28 is substantially the same shape as the recessed portion 4, and is preferably rectangular. Similar to the top grid 2 described above, the recessed portion 4 is sized slightly larger than the griddle 28, such that the griddle 28 is securely positioned within the recess 4 to keep the lateral movement of the griddle 28 to a minimum. The removal of the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 is not necessary for the proper placement of the griddle 28. as the griddle 28 does not extend substantially downwardly into the cavity 8 of the side burner 20 to impinge on the proper functioning of the lower burner 6 and the two-piece heat pipe 16. The griddle 28 also includes side handles 33 for easy lifting and placement during cooking and storing. As best shown in FIG. 8, with the griddle 28 in place, the top lid 60 rests over the griddle 28 substantially in the same manner as when used to cover the top grid 2, described above.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the deep pan 32 preferably includes a lower inset portion 34 and an integral upper skirt portion 35 having side handles 36 for easy lifting and placement for cooking and storage. Although any size may be used, the deep pan 32 is preferably 10 inches wide, 12.5 inches long, and 4.5 inches deep. As best shown in FIG. 4, with the top grid 2 and the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 removed, the deep pan 32 can be placed into the cavity 8 of the side burner 20, such that the sides of the deep pan are spaced inwardly from the walls 19 forming the cavity, and the bottom wall 37 of the deep pan 32 is positioned slightly above the bottom section 17 of the heat pipe 16. The upper skirt portion 35 rests directly on the upper surface 19 of the side burner 20 covering the recessed portion 4, as shown. The deep pan 32 includes a top rim 38 over which can overlay the lid 60 (as best shown m FIG 10). the shallow pan 40 (FIG 12). the steamer pan 48 (FIG 14) or the divided pan 54 (FIG 16)

As best shown m FIG 11 and split FIG 12. the shallow pan 40 may be used alone or in combination separately with the deep pan 32. as descπbed above Although any size may be used, the shallow pan 40 is preferably 10 inches wide, 12 5 inches long, and 2 5 mches deep The shallow pan 40 includes an mset portion 41 and a top πm 42 The top πm 42 extends around the periphery of the shallow pan 40 and has a cut out portion 43 at both ends for easy lifting and placement for cookmg and storage As shown in FIG 12. when used alone, the shallow pan 40 is placed inside the cavity 8 of the side burner 20, with the bottom wall 44 positioned above the lower burner 6 and bottom section 18 of the heat pipe 16 The top πm 42 rests directly on the upper surface 19 of the side burner 20 coveπng the recessed portion 4. as shown On occasion, the user may desire to partialK fill the deep pan 32 with water and insert the shallow pan 40 therein thereby causing the combination to act as a double boiler When the deep pan 32 and the shallow pan 40 are used together, as shown m FIG 12, the deep pan 32 is placed into the cavitv 8, as described above, and partially filled with water The shallow pan 40 is then placed mside the deep pan 32 The top πm 42 of the shallow pan 40 rests over the top πm 38 of the deep pan 32 while the side walls of the shallow pan 40 are spaced mwardh from the side walls of the deep pan 32 as shown thereby providing a stable cookmg support When desired, the lid 60 may be placed over the top πm 42 of the shallow pan 40 in order to retain heat

As shown m FIGS 13 and 14, the steamer pan 48 may be used in combination with the deep pan 32 in a similar fashion as described above with respect to the deep-shallow pan combination, in order to steam vegetables, fish or other foods Although any size may be used, the steamer pan 48 is preferably 10 inches wide, 12 5 inches long, and 2 5 mches deep The steamer pan 48 includes a number of small apertures 49 over the entire bottom wall 50 and side walls 51 The steamer pan 48 includes a top πm 52 extending around its penphery The top πm 52 may include side handles 53 for easy lifting and placement for cooking and storage As shown in FIG 14 when the deep pan 32 and the steamer pan 48 are used together, the deep pan is placed into the cavity 8, as described abo\ e. and partially filled with any desired liquid for steaming The steamer pan 48 is then placed inside the deep pan 32 The top πm 52 of the steamer pan 48 rests over the top πm 38 of the deep pan 32. while the side walls of the steamer pan 48 are spaced inwardly from the side walls of the deep pan 32 as shown, thereby providing a stable cooking support When desired, the lid 60 may be placed over the top πm 52 of the steamer pan 48 m order to retain heat

As illustrated m FIG 15 and split FIG 16, the divided pan 54 may be used alone or in combination with the deep pan 32 m a similar manner to that descπbed above with respect to the deep-shallow pan combination Although any size may be used, the divided pan 54 is preferably 10 inches wide, 12 5 inches long, and 2 5 inches deep The divided pan 54 preferably includes three mam compartments 55 in which to place separate food items to be cooked The divided pan 54 includes an mset portion 56 and a top πm 58 The top πm 58 extends around the periphery of the divided pan 54 and may have a cut out portion 59 at both ends for easy lifting and placement for cooking and storage When used alone, the divided pan 54 is placed mside the cavity 8 of the side burner 20, with the bottom wall 57 positioned above the lower burner 6 and surrounding bottom section 18 of the heat pipe 16 The top πm 58 rests directly on the upper surface 19 of the side burner 20 covering the recessed portion 4, as shown On occasion the user mav desire to partially fill the deep pan 32 with water and insert the divided pan 54. thereby causing the combination to act as a three-compartment double boiler When the deep pan 32 and the divided pan 54 are used together, the deep pan 32 is placed into the cavity 8, as described above, and partially filled with water The divided pan 54 is then placed mside the deep pan 32 The top πm 58 of the divided pan 54 rests over the top πm 38 of the deep pan 32. while the side walls of the divider pan 54 are spaced inwardly from the side walls of the deep pan 32 as shown, thereby providing a stable cooking support When desired, the lid 60 may be placed over the top πm 58 of the divided pan 54 m order to retain heat

As illustrated in FIG 3, it is also contemplated that the nesting accessoπes 10 of the present invention mav be placed into the cavity 72 of the main grill 70 One or more of the mam grill grids may be removed exposing the cavity 72 m which is contained the main burner 74 Because the nesting accessories 10 would be, generally, smaller than the size of the cavity 72. preferably a rectangular adapter or flange 73 have a length and width slightly larger than the cavity 72 and an opening slightly smaller than the outer πm of the nesting accessoπes 10 would be placed over the cavity 72 to alter the size of the opening, m order to accommodate the inserted nesting accessoπes 10 It is contemplated that the hood 76 (shown in hidden lines in FIG 3) of the mam grill 70 will properly lift and close when the nesting accessories 10 are m place Although the size and shape of the nesting accessoπes 10 may vary according to the desired cavity 72 opening, it is contemplated that this fact should have no bearing on the manner in which the nesting accessories 10 are mset and retained by the cavity 72 for the main grill 70 If the deep pan 32 is used as an accessor},' in combination with the main grill cavity 72. it is preferable that L-shaped metal risers 85 (shown in FIGS 17 and 18. and descπbed below) are included at the four corners of the flange 73 in order to raise the deep pan 32 substantially above the top surface of the main grill 70 This is because the deep pan 32 is too deeply inset into the cavity 72 to be accommodated by a standard gas gπll due to the positioning of the main burner 74

As illustrated in FIG 1. the nesting accessories 10 may be properly stored in a side drawer 78 of a barbecue grill when not in use Preferably, the side drawer 78 is approximately 7 inches deep in order to accommodate all nesting accessoπes 10 Storage of the nesting accessories 10 begins by first placing the griddle 28 agamst a bottom wall 80 of the side drawer (preferably, the flat cooking surface 29 is facing up for a smooth contact) Next, the deep pan 32 is placed on top of the gπddle 28 Next, the shallow pan 40. the steamer pan 48 and divided pan 54, respectively, are placed inside the deep pan 32 with the πm of each pan resting on the nm of the next adjacent pan The lid 60 is preferably stored over the top grid 2 as shown in FIG 6 to prevent unnecessary weathering of the top gπd 2 and the lower burner 6

In another embodiment, as shown m FIGS 17 and 18, four L-shaped metal πsers 85 engaging the four corners of the upper surface 19 of the side burner 20 act in place of the large upper skirt portion 35 (where shown) of the deep pan 32 The metal risers 85 aid m raising the level of the nesting accessories substantially above the upper surface 19 of the side burner 20 In tins -way. the lower burner 6 is spaced a smaller distance from the upper surface 19 of the side burner 20. thereby necessitating a shallower cavity 8, and reducing heat loss Also, openings 86 adjacent to the risers 85 allow for combustion venting of the lower burner 6 to the outside air In this embodiment, the upper skirt 35 (where shown) of the deep pan 32 could be eliminated and replaced with a relatively small lip 87 which would rest on the πsers 85, as shown The πsers 85 would provide the support for all nesting accessoπes 10 when used alone or in combination with the other accessoπes. as described above As described above, the heat pipe 16 preferably includes a removable top section 17 from a stationary bottom section 18 thereby providing the space within the cavity 8 of the side burner 20 to place the various nesting accessories 10 As best shown m FIGS 2, 17. and 18. it is also contemplated that the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 may be telescoping or spπng-loaded and in relative engagement with the bottom section 18 In this embodiment, as shown in the drawings, the top section 17 has a slightly larger diameter than the bottom section 18 The weight of a pan acting against the top section 17 in a downward direction causes compression of the top section 17 over the bottom section 18. thereby providing the necessan spacing to accommodate the nesting accessories 10 described above It is also noted that the top section 17 may have a slightly smaller diameter than the bottom section 18. whereby the top section 17 may compress mside the bottom section 18, thereby providing the necessary spacing for the nesting accessories 10, described above In this embodiment, apertures are preferably not included around the periphery of the heat pipe 16 Rather, gπll members 84 are attached to the top section 17 of the heat pipe 16 in order to provide the necessary spacing between the mset pan and the top section 17 for the necessary combustion venting

In addition, it is contemplated that although the present invention is preferably used in a gas barbecue gπll the heat source could be an electπc or conventional charcoal briquettes, or any other heat source utilized in a barbecue grill for cooking food, rather than the gas burner 6 descπbed above

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoing for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that vaπations can be made therein by those of ordinary skill m the art without departmg from the spiπt and the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims, including all equivalents thereof

Claims

We Claim

1 A cooking assembly for a barbecue grill compπsing a heatmg compartment defining a cavity therein, said heating compartment having a bottom wall and side walls, said side walls extending upwardly and terminating to form a top edge defining a top opening, a heat source housed within said heating compartment, and at least one first container having a top πm and a lower inset portion, said top πm of sufficient size to rest over and be supported by said top edge of said heatmg compartment, thereby positioning said lower inset portion inside said cavity and above said heat source

2 The cooking assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first container can receive at least one second container nesting within said at least one first container

3 The cooking device of claim 1 wherein said heat compartment is the main burner of a grill

4 The cookmg assembly of claim 1 wherein said heat compartment is a side burner of the grill

5 The cooking assembly of claim 3 wherein said heat source is a gas burner

6 The cookmg assembly of claim 4 wherein said heat source is a gas burner

7 The cooking assembly of claim 6 wherein said gas burner engages said bottom wall of said side burner 8 The cooking assembly of claim 7 further compπsing a heat pipe suπoundmg said gas burner, said heat pipe having a top and bottom section, said bottom section mounted to said bottom wall Of said side burner, said top section extending upwardly from said bottom section inside said cavity

9 The cooking assembly of claim 8 wherein said top section is removable from said bottom section

10 The cooking assembly of claim 8 wherein said top section is in spring -loaded engagement with said bottom section

11 The cookmg assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first container comprises multiple nesting containers which can be stored in a drawer of the barbecue gnll

12 The cookmg assembly of claim 11 wherein said multiple nesting containers includes a deep pan. a shallow pan. and steamer pan

13 A cooking assembly for a barbecue grill, comprising a heatmg compartment defining a cavity therein, said heatmg compartment having a bottom wall and side walls, said side walls extending upwardly and terminating to form a top edge defining a top opening, a heat source having a top edge, said heat source housed within said heating compartment and engaging a bottom wall of said heating compartment. a two-piece tubular pipe surrounding said heat source, said tubular pipe having a bottom portion secured to said bottom wall of said heating compartment at one end and a top removable portion engaging an opposite end of said bottom portion, said top edge of said heat source positioned below a top edge of said bottom portion, said top removable portion extending upwardly so that a top edge of said pipe is positioned below said top edge of said heating compartment; at least one container having a top rim and a lower inset portion, such that when said top portion of said tubular pipe is removed, said top rim is of sufficient size to rest over and be supported by said top edge of said heating compartment, thereby positioning said lower inset portion inside said cavity and above said top edge of said bottom portion of said tubular pipe.