Abstract: A barbecue grill for cooking food includes: a firebox, the firebox including angled lower walls for draining liquids coming from the food; a grease channel, connected to the lower portion of the firebox, for directing grease outside of the firebox; a cover pivotally attached to the firebox; a cooking surface removably placed at the top of the firebox and securely held therein. Also provided in certain and alternate embodiments of the invention are one or more gas burners mounted in any of several orientations within the firebox, an electric cooking plate, a rotisserie, and a retaining means for securing a fuel supply tank.

Abstract: An energy-efficient barbecue grill includes an insulated top for retaining heat within the cooking area and a drain to remove grease from the cooking surface of the grill. A preferred embodiment of the grill is provided with an electric heat source.

Abstract: The heat distribution plate provides controlled flare-up through a system of drop-in distribution plates having holes or slots to allow dripping fats to be ignited. Good heat uniformity across the entire grill is afforded, and the controlled flare-up provided by the holes are slots gives the food a barbecued rather than baked flavor. The distribution plates are held in position in the containment casting by engaging flanges on the casting. The flanges are arranged to minimize the air gap between adjacent edges of the plates.

Abstract: The grill has separately adjustable left and right grill surfaces and independently controllable left and right burner portions. A removable heat shield impedes heat transfer between the left and right sides, to permit different cooking temperatures at the same time. A slotted heat distribution plate minimizes hot spots on the grill surface while allowing a controlled flare-up to enhance the barbecue flavor.

Abstract: The accessory shelves are detachably hung on pins, allowing the shelves to be rotated to a folded down and stored position, or to be rotated to a horizontal locked position for use. The shelves are attachable and detachable without the use of tools or fasteners. The optional side burner is detachably held in a similar fashion, but with an additional locking bolt to prevent inadvertent pivotal rotation from the horizontal position.

Abstract: The accessory shelves are detachably hung on pins, allowing the shelves to be rotated to a folded down and stored position, or to be rotated to a horizontal locked position for use. The shelves are attachable and detachable without the use of tools or fasteners. The wheels are readily installed by the consumer without tools by sliding the axle pins through the wheels and securing them in the axle holders. The wheels are held by snap-in detent action of the annular recess of the axle and the protruding catch of the axle holder.

Abstract: A decorative pop-in front panel provides the barbecue grill with a more finished appearance by hiding the fuel tank and its associated fuel lines. The panel is installed and held in place without the need for tools or separate fasteners. Pins secure the panel along the bottom edge and a detachable condiment rack holds the upper edge of the panel in place next to the control panel. The condiment rack is similarly installed without requiring tools or other fasteners by a bracket which allows the condiment rack to be hung and locked in place on the grill frame.

Abstract: The electronic grill control employs a microprocessor-based circuit which monitors cooking temperature, cooking time, fuel level and the presence or absence of flame. The fuel level may be displayed alternately as a percentage or fraction of the full tank capacity or in terms of the burning time remaining in the tank. A dual electrode ignition circuit eliminates noise problems in the microprocessor circuitry by establishing the appropriate sparking voltage between the two electrodes instead of between a single electrode and the casting ground. A fuel presence sensor comprising one of the two electrodes measures resistance or conductance of the ionized gases within the flame to provide the microprocessor with an indication that the flame has failed to ignite or has blown out. All information is displayed on an alphanumeric display with audible alarms provided for certain conditions.

Abstract: The electronic grill control employs a microprocessor-based circuit which monitors cooking temperature, cooking time, fuel level and the presence or absence of flame. The fuel level may be displayed alternately as a percentage or fraction of the full tank capacity or in terms of the burning time remaining in the tank. A dual electrode ignition circuit eliminates noise problems in the microprocessor circuitry by establishing the appropriate sparking voltage between the two electrodes instead of between a single electrode and the casting ground. A fuel presence sensor comprising one of the two electrodes measures resistance or conductance of the ionized gases within the flame to provide the microprocessor with an indication that the flame has failed to ignite or has blown out. All information is displayed on an alphanumeric display with audible alarms provided for certain conditions.

Abstract: The barbecue grill has a fabric-covered panel for concealing the fuel container. The fabric is stretched across a frame and held in place by pressing the fabric into a longitudinally extending groove to form a convolution in the fabric into which a spline is pressed to hold the fabric in place. By removal of the spline, the fabric panel can be removed and replaced to allow the user to decoratively coordinate the appearance of the barbecue grill with outdoor lawn furniture or the like.

Abstract: The improved valve construction provides low force actuation and is therefore suitable in applications where children and handicapped persons may need to operate the valves. The pinch-type valve employs a lever arm pilot which supports a section of tubing in the fluid dispensing circuit. The lever arm is snap fit onto a valve plate and is adapted for rocking movement about a pivot point at one end of the lever arm. A valve cage supports a compression spring which applies a force upon the lever arm tending to depress the lever arm and its associated tube pinching valve seat into pinching contact with the tube. A force applied to the lever arm opposite the pivot point relieves the pinching force and the tube is thus opened for dispensing. An alternate flapper-type valve employs a valve pad encapsulated on the end of a lever arm which is in turn encapsulated in an O-ring seal so that the valve pad is situated at the center of the O-ring and the lever arm is disposed along a radial of the O-ring.

Abstract: The tubular frame of the grill cart forms a laterally extending shelf with opening into which an insulated container removably nests. A heat shield of folded metal with slotted apertures to inhibit heat transfer by conduction protects the container from the intense heat developed by the grill by deflecting radiated thermal energy and by inhibiting air current convection heat transfer. The insulated container may hold either refrigerated or heated items and features opposing carrying handles which rest upon the frame to support the container with its lid in a generally horizontal plane. The lid in this position may be used as a countertop work space while tending the grill. The lid may also be flipped over to expose a contoured surface with recess compartments for holding beverage containers, plates and trays.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling an automatic ice making system of a refrigeration apparatus. The device includes an electrical circuit which operates the ice making machine using a light interrupter system. A plused light source is placed such that it will be interfered when the ice has reached a predetermined level in the ice containing bin. The circuit uses operational amplifier signal processing components which activate the ice making machine once the light source is sensed for a predetermined period of time and deactivates the ice maker when the light source is not sensed for another predetermined period of time. The circuit also includes means for eliminating the effect of ambient lights.

Abstract: The barrier free drinking fountain has an oval-shaped basin which rests on an extended cantilevered arm. The basin is an assembly of an upper bowl and a lower bowl which are assembled on the waste removal pipe and which may be readily disassembled without breaking adhesive seals. The push actuator is semicylindrically-shaped to provide a manually accessible surface spanning approximately 180.degree.. The push actuator moves both translationally and rotationally, depending on where the actuator is pushed. Translational and rotational movement of the actuator causes the water dispensing valve to operate.

Abstract: A portable cooler and removable lid therefor in which the lid is formed with a cavity for receiving articles and carrying them independently of the cooler body. A pivotally supported closure member is carried by the lid for closing its cavity and retaining articles within it.

Abstract: An automatic coffee maker that is particularly adapted for mounting other than upon a counter surface. The coffee maker comprises a housing having a water compartment receiving cavity and a filter compartment receiving cavity each adapted to receive respective of water compartments and filter compartments. A coffee container supporting member is pivotally supported by the housing for movement between an extended position for supporting a coffee container and a retracted position wherein the supporting member nests around the coffee maker to provide a compact configuration.