Barbecue

Abstract

A barbecue (1) comprises the lid (2), a food supporting compartment (3), a fuel supporting compartment (4) and a vertical support (5). The food supporting compartment (3) can be moved between a first position above the fuel supporting compartment (4) and a second position away from said fuel supporting compartment (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a barbecue grill for cooking meats and other foods.

[0002] The cooking of food on a barbecue has become very popular, however, it is still a common cause of burning.

[0003] A heat source is used to warm or cook the food held above it and requires a fuel such as charcoal, gas, or wood. Removing a food tray in order to replenish fuel involves handling hot components and poses the risk of burning.

[0004] Typically, the person cooking frequently places their hands and arms near the heat source and is therefore in further danger of being burned due to radiated heat or flare-ups. These troublesome flare-ups are difficult to contain and can be very dangerous. They also result in the charring of food.

[0005] Stemming from this problem is the wastage of food, as people tend to flip their food hastily to prevent burning themselves, which can result in items being dropped.

[0006] A further hazard of using a barbecue is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which may result from use indoors.

[0007] In the prior art there have been many improvements made to the standard barbecue to fulfil a variety of objectives and requirements.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,795 discloses a barbecue grill assembly, adapted to simultaneously cook one food and warm another. Rotation of a threaded handle allows the support plate to be raised in relation to the charcoal rack, which enables the user to selectively increase or decrease the space between the food rack and the charcoal rack.

[0009] While this barbecue fulfils its particular objectives and requirements, it does not address the aspect of safety.

[0010] It can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved barbecue grill which has a cooking area and fuel source that can be moved away from one another.

[0011] In this respect the barbecue grill according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. As such the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a grill assembly adapted for the safe cooking of food.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved barbecue system that mitigates the risk of burning.

[0013] It is also an object of the invention to provide a new and improved barbecue system that allows the user to manipulate food on a barbecue without getting close to the heat source.

[0014] A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved barbecue system that incorporates a warning or detection means for the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

[0015] An even further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved barbecue system that is mounted on a support of adjustable height allowing the barbecue to be raised and lowered.

[0016] According to the present invention there is provided a barbecue comprising a food supporting heat tray and a heat source whereby the food tray is moveable between a first position above the heat source, enabling food on the food tray to becooked, and a second position away from a heat source.

[0017] The food tray and the heat source may be attached to a single support of adjustable height.

[0018] The barbecue may further comprise a carbon monoxide detector for monitoring carbon monoxide magnitudes. The detector may be associated with a warning signal for indicating when carbon monoxide levels exceed a predetermined value.

[0019] Preferably, the support is provided with a portable base that can be filled with sand or water to enable lightweight transportation.

[0020] Alternatively, the support can be set into the ground in a more permanent location.

[0021] The support has a plurality of mounting points for the addition of optional shelves, which are detachable and available as mix and match components.

[0022] Optionally, the food tray and heat source are contained in a housing that may extend from the vertical support via a short cantilever which permits a greater degree of movement and particularly height adjustment. This may have an advantage to wheelchair users for example.

[0023] The barbecue may also be adapted to receive or incorporate is a clip-on safety guard which prevents children and animals from inadvertently contacting the hot components of the barbecue. The guard attaches to the support to provide a safe cooking area.

[0024] Typically, an ash collecting tray is positioned beneath the hjousing to collect ashes when using solid fuels.

[0025] A further option of the barbecue system is the facility to connect a gas bottle or the gas mains to the fuel supporting tray.

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a barbecue and support in accordance with the present invention and

[0028] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the barbecue showing the rotation of the food supporting compartment and lid relative to the stationary fuel supporting compartment.

[0029] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a barbecue is generally depicted at 1, comprising a lid 2, a food supporting compartment 3, a fuel supporting compartment 4 and a support 5.

[0030] The lid 2 is lifted upwards and backwards by way of a hinge 11 located at the rear. Positioned on the forward end of the lid component 2 is a handle 12 to facilitate the opening and closing of the lid 2. The lid 2 serves to provide access to the food supporting compartment 3. There is a second handle 9 located at the uppermost point of the lid 2 that can be lifted to control ventilation.

[0031] The food supporting compartment 3 is moved relative to the fuel supporting compartment 4 by way of the handle 13 positioned at the front. The food supporting compartment 3 contains a metal tray 14 on which to place food.

[0032] The fuel supporting compartment 4 comprisesa metal tray 15 for supporting the solid fuel, which allows the resulting ash to pass to the concave ash collection tray 16 positioned below. A ventilation control is positioned at the front of the fuel supporting compartment 4 and is opened by way of a handle 17.

[0033] Two hinges 6 and 7 connect the cantilever 8 to the housing at the rearward ends of the food compartment 3 and the fuel supporting compartment 4 respectively. The cantilever 8 is hinged at the centre of the arm 9 and attached to the support 5 by the use of a further hinge 10. The barbecue support 5 is inserted into the base 18 which is weighted down by filling with for example sand or water.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates the barbecue 1 showing the rotation of the food supporting compartment 3 relative to the stationary fuel supporting compartment 4 by way of the cantilever 17 attached to the support 5. The safety guard 18 is shown around the barbecue system 1.

[0035] The food compartment 3 is horizontally moved away from the fuel supporting compartment 4.

[0036] The typical cross sectional shape of the barbecue is circular however a variety of shapes would be available including square and triangular.

[0037] Preferred finishes include stainless steel, anodised aluminium and enamelled steel.

[0038] The barbecue is bought as a package and the owner assembles the unit, fixing the working height by way of the cantilever and the many mounting points on the support.

[0039] The main advantage of having a food supporting compartment which moves away from the heat source is that there is provided a safe method for cooking food on a barbecue. There is also provided a safer method for adding fuel when using the barbecue.

[0040] Another advantage of the present invention is that you can prevent the charring of foods and food wastage due to jerked movements.

[0041] A further advantage of the present invention is the height adjustment feature which means the barbecue unit can be used by everyone, regardless of their height, and the inclusion of a cantilever makes cooking easier for wheelchair users.

[0042] A yet further advantage is that there is provided a carbon monoxide indicator for the increased safety of the user when using the barbecue in a poorly ventilated location.

[0043] Further modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A barbecue comprising a food support tray and a heat source, whereby the food tray is moveable between a first position above the heat source, enabling food on the food tray to becooked, and a second position away from the heat source.

2. A barbecue as claimed in claim 1 wherein the food tray and heat source are attached to a single support of adjustable height.

3. A barbecue as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a carbon monoxide detector for monitoring carbon monoxide magnitudes.

4. A barbecue as claimed in claim 3 wherein the carbon monoxide detector is associated with a warning signal for indicating when carbon monoxide levels exceed a predetermined value.

5. A barbecue as claimed in claim 2 wherein the support is provided with a portable base which can be filled with sand or water on location to enable lightweight transportation.

6. A barbecue as claimed in claim 2 wherein the support is set into the ground in a more permanent location.

7. A barbecue as claimed in claims 5-6 wherein the support has a plurality of mounting points for the addition of detachable shelves which are available as mix and match components.

8. A barbecue as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the food tray and heat source are contained in a housing that may extend from the vertical support via a short cantilever which permits a greater degree of movement and height adjustment.

9. A barbecue as claimed in any one of the preceding claims adapted to receive or incorporate a clip-on safety guard to prevent children and animals from inadvertently contacting the hot components of the barbecue.

10. A barbecue as claimed in claim 9 wherein the clip-on safety guard is attached to the support.

11. A barbecue as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having an ash collecting tray positioned beneath the housing.

12. A barbecue as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fuel supporting tray is connectable to a gas bottle or gas mains.