Stoves and furnaces – Stoves – Cooking
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-18
2001-07-03
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Stoves and furnaces
Stoves
Cooking
C126S0250AA, C016S343000, C016S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253760
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to outdoor cooking appliances and more specifically pertains to barbecue-type devices that are gas-fired.
Many different types of barbecue-type devices are known which enable food to be cooked outdoors. The use of gaseous fuel such as methane, propane or butane to fire such devices is also well known and can significantly enhance the convenience of outdoor cooking. However, heretofore known gas-fired devices suffer from a number of disadvantages. As an example, the gas is typically supplied in a pressurized container, such as a refillable tank or a throw-away canister, which must be accommodated directly underneath or in close proximity to the cooking device. Such container is typically considered to be unsightly and if an effort is made to conceal its presence by for example positioning it within some type of enclosure, accessability thereto is compromised which makes it more difficult or inconvenient to change out the container when empty.
It is also necessary for a gas-fired cooking device to have some means for controlling the flow of the gas to the burner which requires the accommodation of a valve or regulator somewhere between the fuel container and the burner. Often such regulator is attached directly to the fuel container which, if the container is not concealed, adds to its unsightliness. On the other hand, if the tank is normally concealed, it must nonetheless be accessed when the barbecue is in use in order to access the gas valve. Alternatively, the regulator may be positioned remotely and while this does allow the fuel container to remain concealed at all times, a prominently positioned control mechanism could also be considered unsightly.
Finally, the manipulation of the lid of many heretofore known barbecue devices is somewhat awkward. Some such devices have a loose lid that is simply placed onto the top of the device which poses the dilemma of what to do with the lid when removed. Simply setting the lid on the ground or some available surface may not be feasible as a hot lid may cause heat damage or leave a greasy outline. A hook that is attached to the lid and is configured to engage some fixed element of the barbecue is an option but attempting to maneuver a hot lid into place while smoke obscures one's vision can also be awkward. Moreover, the lid could conceivably fall from its hooked position and cause damage or be damaged. Devices are also known in which the lid is hingedly attached directly to the barbecue device. Disadvantages associated therewith include the possibility that the lid renders while in its raised position renders the device unstable. Such instability could cause the entire device to be toppled when opened too quickly or when bumped or perhaps even when subjected to a gust of wind. Moreover, if the open lid is itself unstable, it could accidently slam shut to possibly cause injury or damage.
A gas-fired outdoor cooking device is needed that incorporates features that allow it to assume a more aesthetically pleasing appearance than heretofore known devices but that is nonetheless easy and safe to use. More specifically, all unsightly hardware associated with the fuel supply and control should be fully concealable yet easy to use and service. Additionally, a lid configuration is needed that is easy and convenient to use and that does not render the device unstable when in the open position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a gas-fired outdoor cooking device that overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior art devices. More specifically, the device is configured such that all of the hardware associated with the gas supply and control mechanism is concealed, yet is easily and quickly accessible. The lid for the device is attached by a hinge configured to cause the lid to pivot about its approximate centerline. As a result, the lid is precluded from accidently slamming shut and the device as a whole is not destablitized by the lid in its open position.
The above advantages are further achieved by supporting the barbecue bowl with a hollow pedestal dimensioned to accommodate therein a replaceable gas canister and all associated plumbing for conducting and controlling the flow of gas from the canister to the burner located within the bowl clement. A hinged door near the bottom of the pedestal provides access to the canister, the replacement of which is facilitated by a pivotably mounted screw-in receiver which pivots outwardly from within the pedestal. This allows an empty canister to be removed and a new canister to be threaded into place wholly from outside the pedestal without the need to reach into the interior of the pedestal. With the canister pivoted into place within the pedestal and the hinged door in its closed position, the canister and regulator are completely hidden from sight to provide a clean and uncluttered appearance.
Additionally, the valve for controlling the flow of gas from the canister to the burner is attached to a control box that also pivots outwardly from within the pedestal. The push of a button releases the the control box to pivot outwardly and expose a control panel having a control knob positioned thereon. The knob and opening in the pedestal are configured so as to cooperate to positively prevent the control box from being pushed back into the pedestal while the knob is in any position other than the “off” position. When not in use, the box is pushed back into the pedestal to leave only its featureless front panel exposed on the surface of the pedestal to provide a smooth and uncluttered appearance.
The lid is pivotably connected to the barbecue bowl by a compound hinge that causes the lid to rotate about its approximate centerline as it is opened. The lid thereby swings into a position close to the barbecue bowl thus minimizing a shift of the center of gravity off center. As a result, the stability of the device is not substantially affected by the position of the lid. Additionally, because the center of gravity of the lid in its filly opened position is no higher than when its closed position, the lid can not possibly slam shut accidentally.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates by way of example the principles of the invention.
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Mashburn James
Mashburn Jerry
Fulwider Patton Lee & Utecht LLP
Yeung James C.
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