Movable support for barbecue grill fuel tank

Stoves and furnaces – Stoves – Cooking

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C126S038000, C126S276000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06694967

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a support for a fuel tank used in connection with a barbecue grill. More specifically, the present invention relates to a movable support for fuel tank that is capable of movement between at least two positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the past two to three decades, the popularity of gas barbecue grills and outdoor cooking devices has increased tremendously. Manufacturers of these products have introduced a number of support devices for the fuel tank used in connection with the grills and cooking devices. However, conventional support devices suffer from a number of problems and limitations. Most conventional support devices are affixed to a portion of the frame assembly of the barbecue grill or the cooking device, typically a vertical frame member. In this manner, the support device and the fuel tank are exposed to potentially harsh outdoor elements. Also, the vertical frame member must be specifically designed or reinforced to withstand the increased loads presented by the support device and the fuel tank. Because most frame assemblies are formed from a plurality of frame members, access to a spent fuel tank is compromised when the support device is affixed to the frame assembly.
A number of larger gas barbecue grills have a frame assembly which includes a cabinet or a storage cavity where the fuel tank is simply placed therein. In this manner, the fuel tank remains unsecured and susceptible to unexpected movement. Alternatively, a conventional support device is permanently affixed to an internal frame member comprising the cabinet. In either case, the structure of the cabinet impairs the access to and replacement of a spent fuel tank.
An example of a support device susceptible to the limitations identified above is U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,355 to Schlosser et al., which is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 therein, a support device 28 for a fuel tank 24 includes an elongated U-shaped portion 62 with a curved lower portion 62 and a strap 68. The support device 28 is a stationary element that is affixed to a lower portion of the support frame 14. Referring to
FIG. 1
, the fuel tank
24
is positioned beyond the cavity defined by the support frame
14
and beneath the work surface
20
and the horizontal frame member
42
a
. Consequently, the removal and replacement of the fuel tank
24
is compromised.
Another example of a support device with the concerns identified above is U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,469 to Schlosser et al., which is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 4
, the support device
910
includes a brace
911
, a tank scale
913
, and a bracket
915
. The brace
911
wraps around and hangs from the horizontal post
26
between the vertical posts
23
,
24
. Referring to
FIG. 2
, the fuel tank
900
is supported by the device
910
beyond the cavity defined by the support frame
20
and beneath the handles
31
a
. Accordingly, the removal and replacement of the fuel tank
24
is negatively affected.
Yet another example of a support device susceptible to the problems identified above is U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,252 to Schlosser et al., which is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the support device includes an upper bracket
87
and a lower bracket
88
. The support device is affixed to a vertical frame member
86
which is a component of the cart frame assembly
50
. Referring to
FIGS. 1
,
2
, and
4
, the fuel tank
72
is supported by the device in the cavity defined by the frame assembly
50
; however, neither the fuel tank
72
nor the support device are movable. The fuel tank
72
is positioned in close proximity to the storage bin
80
and the shrouding
58
, each of which hamper the removal and replacement of the fuel tank
72
.
The unrestrained placement of a fuel tank within a cabinet of a barbecue grill assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,333 to Ducate et al. As show in
FIG. 2
, the fuel tank
58
is positioned on a bottom wall of the cabinet
11
. Although fuel lines
60
,
62
are connected to the fuel tank
58
to provide fuel to the burners of the barbecue grill
10
, no structure is provided to secure or stabilize the fuel tank
58
. Consequently, the fuel tank
58
is susceptible to unwanted and unexpected movement. In addition, the removal and replacement of a spent fuel tank
58
is made difficult by the structure of the cabinet
11
, including the doors
52
,
54
,
56
and the vertical frame members
26
.
Therefore, there is a definite need for a support device for a fuel tank that is movable between a first position wherein the fuel tank is stored for use, and a second position, wherein the fuel tank is accessible. In addition, there is a need for a support device that provides for generally unobstructed removal and replacement of a spent fuel tank.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a movable support apparatus for a fuel tank used in connection with a gas barbecue grill assembly or an outdoor cooking device. The support apparatus includes a housing member having opposed side walls, a back wall, and a bottom wall. A bracket is affixed to an outer surface of the back wall and is adapted to engage an opening of the fuel tank. The bracket is adapted to secure the fuel tank to the support apparatus.
A releasable securing member is operably connected to the housing member. The securing member is adapted to provide securement to the housing member such that the position of the support apparatus remains generally fixed. Described in a different manner, when the securing member is properly engaged, the support apparatus is generally immobile. When the securing member is disengaged, the support apparatus is capable of movement. The securing member has a handle portion that is adapted to actuate the securing member. An intermediate portion of the securing member is operably connected to a portion of the support apparatus. A lower portion of the securing member extends through an aperture in the bottom wall.
In accord with the invention, the support apparatus is operably connected to the frame assembly of the gas barbecue grill assembly, where the frame assembly generally comprises a combination of vertical frame members, transverse frame members, and horizontal frame members. The frame assembly, including the vertical, transverse, and horizontal frame members define a cabinet, which is positioned generally below the cooking chamber of the barbecue grill assembly. At least one hinge is adapted to operably connect the support apparatus to a portion of the cabinet, preferably a portion of the vertical frame member.
In further accord with the invention, the support apparatus is movable between a first position, wherein the fuel tank is generally stored for use and a second position, wherein the fuel tank is generally accessible. In the first position, the support apparatus and the fuel tank are positioned generally within the cabinet. Described in another manner, in the first position, the support apparatus and the fuel tank are positioned generally within the frame assembly. When the support apparatus is in the first position, the fuel tank is secured for use with the grill assembly.
The support apparatus is secured in the first position by the engagement of the securing member with a bottom wall of the cabinet. The bottom wall has a first means for receiving the lower portion of the securing member. When the support apparatus is located in the first position the support apparatus is generally fixed or immobile.
In the second position, a portion of the support apparatus is positioned generally beyond a portion of the cabinet. Described in another manner, in the second position, a portion of the support apparatus is positioned generally beyond a portion of the frame assembly, and the

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